Tom Homan says Minneapolis anti-ICE roadblocks are a 'joke' after police chief clears them

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: White House border czar Tom Homan on Wednesday, February 4, criticized protesters in Minneapolis who set up illegal roadblocks to stop immigration agents, calling their actions a "joke" that only hurts local communities.

Homan informed that after he spoke with the local police chief, authorities moved in to clear the checkpoints.

Tom Homan calls anti-ice roadblocks a 'joke'

Tom Homan told reporters on Wednesday that he took quick action to stop the activists from blocking traffic. 

Demonstrators stop outside various hotels to make noise to discourage federal agents from staying there on January 09, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Protest have sparked up around the city after a federal agent on an immigration enforcement patrol allegedly fatally shot a woman in her car during an incident in south Minneapolis on Wednesday (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

"When I was made aware that the roadblocks exist, I called the chief of police, and he went and disbanded them after I got off the phone with him. He has promised to take enforcement action," Homan said. 

He argued that these protesters are not actually stopping federal work, but are instead making life difficult for regular people trying to live their lives.

The border czar didn't hold back in his criticism of the agitators' methods. "This is illegal. You can't do that.”

He continued, "My message to those folks is, what are you doing? You really think you're stopping ICE and CBP from doing their job? It's a joke. The only people you're hurting is your own community who wants to go and get groceries and pick up their dry cleaning or go to work, whatever. You're just hindering them. Stop. Stop."

Federal agents leave as cooperation increases

Homan made these comments after he announced that 700 federal agents are being pulled out of the Twin Cities. 

He explained that since local authorities are now telling federal agents when they are releasing undocumented immigrants, Homan said there is no longer a need for so many officers on the ground.

"We currently have an unprecedented number of counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets. Unprecedented cooperation," Homan said.

"I'll say it again: This is efficient, and it requires only one or two officers to assume custody of a criminal alien target, rather than eight or 10 officers going into the community and arresting that public safety threat," Homan noted.

Tom Homan clarifies limits of local police support

The Border Czar made it clear that he isn't asking local police to do the job of federal agents, but simply to communicate. 

He noted that federal authorities are not asking jails to keep people locked up past their normal release dates. 

By coordinating these releases, Homan believes the community stays safer, and the federal government can reduce its visible presence.