US President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, said on Thursday that the administration has agreed to end the immigration enforcement crackdown in Minnesota.

Homan held a news conference in Minneapolis where he stated: “I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude… A significant drawdown has already been underway this week and will continue to the next week.”

This follows after over two months of increased immigration enforcement in the city, which the administration referred to as “Operation Metro Surge.” Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) established the operation to apprehend and deport undocumented immigrants.

The crackdown resulted in a large community response, including widespread protests. During this time of unrest, CBP officers shot and killed two immigrant advocates, Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti.

Homan’s announcement to end “Operation Metro Surge” comes after a reported increase in cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement. A February 4 White House press release reported a “new milestone” of over 4,000 “criminal illegals” removed from Minnesota, and said further federal agent reductions were contingent on increased cooperation from local law enforcement. Homan has now claimed they “yielded the successful results we have came here for” and “are leaving Minnesota safer.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz responded to the announcement in a post on X: “The long road to recovery starts now. The impact on our economy, our schools, and people’s lives won’t be reversed overnight. That work starts today.” He later stated “immigration is the core of who we are,” and criticized Trump administration officials in charge of the Department of Homeland Security.

Walz acknowledged the fear that federal immigration agents have instilled within the state’s immigrant community, while advocating for a safer future where no one, regardless of their immigration status, faces harm.