Tom Homan vows ‘massive changes’ in Minneapolis after anti-ICE protests, says 'justice is coming'

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Border czar Tom Homan said “massive changes” are underway in Minneapolis after President Donald Trump sent him to the city following the fatal shooting of two anti-ICE protesters earlier this month.

Speaking at his first press conference since arriving, Homan made it clear that he plans to stay until order is restored, stressing coordination over confrontation as federal enforcement strategies shift on the ground.

Homan arrived late at Trump’s request, days after 37-year-old Renee Good was killed on January 7, and ICU nurse Alex Pretti, also 37, was shot dead during a confrontation with federal agents on January 24. The shootings sparked unrest in Minnesota’s largest city and placed federal immigration enforcement under intense scrutiny.

Tom Homan reports progress on ICE enforcement in Minneapolis

“I’ve been on the ground less than three full days,” Homan said. “I’m staying until the problem’s gone, but we’ve made a lot of progress, a lot of progress, in the last few days.” 

Homan said he reached agreements with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison that will allow federal agents to take custody of illegal immigrants directly from state prisons and county jails. He argued that the approach would reduce chaos on the streets by limiting public arrests.

“We can do better,” he said. “And I thank the local state leaders for meeting with me. We made some significant gains, significant coordination and cooperation, and you’re going to see some massive changes occurring here in this city.”

New ICE jail access deal aims to reduce street arrests

Homan explained that improved access to jails would allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement to target criminal illegal immigrants in controlled settings, rather than during street operations that often draw crowds and protests.

“I had a very good meeting with Attorney General Ellison,” Homan said, adding that Ellison clarified county jails may notify ICE about release dates involving public safety risks so federal agents can take custody. Minnesota law, however, limits how far local authorities can go. While the state honors immigration detainers in state prisons, county jails cannot hold individuals solely on an ICE detainer if they would otherwise be released.

Ellison confirmed those limits in a statement, saying, “It is against the law to hold an incarcerated person solely on an ICE detainer if there is no other legal reason to hold them."

Tom Homan warns activists of pullback if cooperation holds

Homan also took aim at what he described as political obstruction, swiping at sidelined Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino, while warning far-left groups to stop interfering with federal operations. “I didn’t come for photo ops or headlines,” Homan said, adding that “justice is coming” for anyone who obstructs lawful enforcement.

He said federal resources could be reduced if cooperation continues. “Based on the discussions I’ve had with the governor and the AG, we can start drawing down those resources,” he said, noting that arrests inside jails involve “much less people” and less risk.

Still, Homan emphasized that enforcement will continue. “We will conduct targeted enforcement operations,” he said. “Targeted with a prioritization on public safety threats.”

Homan did not say how many of the roughly 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol personnel currently deployed in Minneapolis could be pulled back. He made clear, however, that the administration’s stance could change quickly.

“I want to be clear - we are not surrendering the president’s mission on immigration enforcement,” Homan said, cautioning that federal agents will return in force if cooperation from local authorities fades.