Homan Confirms “Pre-Positioned” ICE Assets in Minnesota to Intercept Releases as Surge Operations Wind Down
Tom Homan, the White House “border czar,” has announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been “pre-positioned” throughout Minnesota to intercept undocumented immigrants immediately upon their release from local custody.
The statement comes alongside Homan’s declaration on Thursday that “Operation Metro Surge”—the massive and controversial federal immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities—is officially concluding. While the high-visibility “surge” of agents is ending, Homan emphasized that a tactical shift is underway, relying on these pre-positioned assets to target specific individuals rather than conducting broad sweeps.
Deep Search Analysis: The Strategy Shift
Homan’s “pre-positioning” comment refers to a strategic pivot from mass visibility to high-precision enforcement. For weeks, Homan has argued that the most effective way to enforce immigration law in “sanctuary” jurisdictions like Minnesota is to arrest individuals in the secure environment of a jail rather than in public.
Targeting “Releases”: The core of this strategy involves placing federal agents in locations where they can immediately detain individuals being released from county jails and state prisons. This directly counters “sanctuary” policies that typically forbid local law enforcement from holding inmates solely for ICE past their release date.
The “Surge” Context: Operation Metro Surge began in December 2025 and escalated in January 2026, involving over 3,000 federal agents. The operation drew national attention after the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents, which intensified calls for the operation’s end.
Sanctuary Status: Minnesota has been a focal point for the administration due to local laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Homan has explicitly stated, “We’re in Minnesota because it’s a sanctuary state,” arguing that local policies force ICE to conduct more dangerous arrests in the community.
Objections and Counter-Arguments
The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from Minnesota state officials and legal experts who question the legality and ethics of the federal approach.
State Sovereignty: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison have pushed back against Homan’s narrative of “unprecedented cooperation.” Ellison clarified that local jails are simply following existing state laws, not cutting special deals with federal agents.
Public Safety Concerns: Critics, including supporters of the “North STAR Act”—legislation designed to prevent state resources from being used for immigration enforcement—argue that ICE’s presence erodes trust between immigrant communities and local police. They contend that fear of deportation prevents victims and witnesses from reporting crimes, thereby decreasing overall public safety.
Legal Ambiguity: Legal observers note that “pre-positioning” agents to intercept releases walks a fine line regarding the Fourth Amendment. If federal agents detain individuals without a judicial warrant immediately upon release, they may face fresh legal challenges similar to those that have plagued previous detainer requests.
Background: Operation Metro Surge
The conclusion of the surge follows weeks of volatility.
Casualties and Unrest: The operation was marred by the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, both U.S. citizens killed in confrontations with federal agents. These incidents sparked widespread protests and a lawsuit from the state attorney general.
Force Reduction: On February 4, Homan announced the withdrawal of 700 agents, citing improved cooperation. As of February 12, approximately 2,000 federal agents remain in the state to carry out the “targeted” phase of the operation.
Political Standoff: The conflict highlights the deepening rift between the federal administration’s mass deportation agenda and state-level sanctuary protections, with Minnesota serving as the primary battleground for this jurisdictional dispute.
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