The Trump administration will pull 700 federal immigration officers from Minnesota as a result of cooperation from Democratic officials in turning over criminal illegal immigrants in jails, according to White House border czar Tom Homan.
Homan announced on Wednesday morning that he and senior homeland security officials have made “significant progress” in discussions with Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and other state and county officials.
“Effective immediately, we will draw down 700 people, effective today, 700 law enforcement personnel,” Homan said during a press conference.
Homan said the 700 federal police officers leaving are a mix of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, Customs and Border Protection’s Border Patrol agents, and Office of Field Operations officers. About 2,000 federal officers will remain in the state after the downsizing.
TRUMP OFFICIALS WORK TO EASE TENSIONS IN MINNEAPOLIS AS SECRETIVE NEGOTIATIONS PROGRESS
“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 during a press conference.
Homan has asked Minnesota officials repeatedly to allow ICE to take custody of illegal immigrants in local and state jails rather than release them. The ability to apprehend people while in jail can be done with one or two ICE officers, rather than eight to 10 officers entering a community to arrest someone, Homan said.
This story is developing and will be updated.