Trump admin ends Minnesota ICE crackdown, ‘border czar’ claims
Masked federal agents in Minneapolis (Photo: REUTERS/Ryan Murphy)
The Trump administration is ending aggressive immigration operations in Minnesota that has led to protests, thousands of arrests, and the
deaths of two U.S. citizens over the past two months, the Associated Press reported
on Feb. 12.
Tom Homan, the White House "border czar," said that the operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) focused in the Twin Cities area had been "successful" and resulted in more than 4,000 arrests.
“The surge is leaving Minnesota safer,” the AP quoted Homan.
“I’ll say it again, it’s less of a sanctuary state for criminals.”
Governor Tim Walz urged residents on Feb. 12 to "remain vigilant" in the coming days as immigration officials prepare to leave. He called the operation an "unnecessary, unjustified, and in many cases unconstitutional intrusions into our state."
"Minnesotans are decent, caring, loving neighbors and they’re also some of the toughest people you’ll find; and we’re in this as long as it takes," Walz said.
Homan warned that operations would continue elsewhere. "President Trump promised mass deportation, and that is what is going to happen in this country," he said.
The operation has been marked by deadly confrontations and protests. On Jan. 7, an ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis. On Jan. 24, federal immigration agents shot and killed 37-year-old nursing assistant Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The FBI has declined to investigate any potential wrongdoing by the federal officers in both cases.
On Jan. 29, ICE briefly detained former CNN anchor
Don Lemon as he was covering protests at a Minnesota church; a Los Angeles
court later ordered his release.
Will you support Ukraine’s free press?
Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations.
As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility – to amplify Ukraine’s voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation.
It’s the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine.
If you’re willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda.
Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd.
If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly.
There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting.
We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If you’re willing to stand up for the truth – consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much.
Will you help tell Ukraine’s story to the world?
Twenty years ago, most people hadn’t even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyone’s lips and everyone’s headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of – from music and culture to technology.
We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If you’re willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
