Tom Homan, the border czar, declared in a recent CNN interview that ICE's immigration surge in Minneapolis is coming to an end, with plans to reduce the agency's presence to around 150 agents in the city within one week. This announcement marks a significant shift in the agency's operational strategy in Minneapolis, which had seen increased enforcement activities. Homan indicated that while the main force will return to a regular size, a small security team will remain available to support ICE agents if the situation requires it.

During the discussion, CNN's Sara Sidner pressed Homan for details about the current status of immigration agents in the city, highlighting a community's uncertainty regarding ICE's operations. Although Homan could not provide precise numbers regarding the remaining agents, his reassurance of a necessary backup plan indicates an awareness of the potential challenges of reducing ICE's footprint amid public and local governmental concerns. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed skepticism about ICE’s withdrawal and made it clear that he remains cautious about the government's promises, stating, 'I’ll believe it when I see it.'

The implications of this adjustment in ICE's operations could reverberate within the local community, particularly for immigrant populations who may feel vulnerable amid shifting immigration policies. Homan’s comments about ICE returning to a normal operational size suggest a balancing act between enforcement and community safety, highlighting the ongoing tensions in immigration debates across the U.S. As law enforcement responses to immigration enforcement continue to unfold, the forthcoming weeks will be critical in determining how these changes will impact local communities.