Homan signals ICE drawdown in Minnesota, but only if local officials grant jail access

Border czar Tom Homan held a press conference in Minneapolis on Jan. 29, 2026, announcing that ICE and CBP staff are working on a 'drawdown plan' for Minnesota. Homan stated: 'I have staff from CBP and ICE working on a drawdown plan and what that looks like based on how many targets we have left.' He emphasized that the drawdown depends on cooperation from Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey.

Homan demanded access to county jails as the key condition for reducing federal agents. He said: 'More agents in the jail means less agents in the street.

This is common-sense cooperation that allows us to draw down on the number of people we have here.' He wants federal agents to arrest undocumented immigrants inside jails rather than conducting street operations.

Homan claimed Attorney General Keith Ellison agreed to jail cooperation, saying: 'I'm pleased to announce I had a very good meeting with [Ellison], and he has clarified for me that county jails, many notify ICE by the release dates of criminal public safety risks.' But Ellison immediately disputed this claim.

Ellison denied making any agreement, stating: 'I did not make, and could not have made, any agreement with him about how sheriffs share with ICE information about people in their county jails.' He said he merely explained existing Minnesota law and 'did not negotiate with Mr. Homan, come to any agreement, or offer any compromise.'

Minnesota law treats state prisons and county jails differently

State Department of Corrections facilities must notify ICE when releasing non-citizens convicted of felonies

County jails operate under local control, and each sheriff decides independently whether to notify ICE or honor detainers A February 2025 Attorney General opinion confirmed that Minnesota law prohibits holding someone solely on an ICE detainer.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey rejected Homan's conditional offer, stating: 'Any drawdown of ICE agents is a step in the right direction, but my ask remains the same: Operation Metro Surge must end.' Frey has consistently opposed the deployment of approximately 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota.

Operation Metro Surge, which DHS called 'the largest immigration enforcement operation ever carried out,' began in December 2025 and expanded dramatically in January 2026. ICE claims 3,000 arrests. Two U.S. citizens died during the operation: Renee Good, shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on Jan. 7, and Alex Pretti, shot by CBP agents during a protest on Jan. 24.

Homan took personal control of Minnesota operations on Jan. 28, 2026, after the Trump administration removed Greg Bovino, the controversial Border Patrol commander who led Operation Metro Surge. Bovino departed Minnesota following the Pretti shooting. Homan said he wants to prioritize immigrants with criminal records over indiscriminate sweeps.