Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz expressed optimism on Feb. 10 that a federal immigration enforcement operation in the state would come to a close in days rather than weeks or months, based on recent talks with key Trump administration officials.
The governor told reporters he discussed the situation on Feb. 9 with border czar Tom Homan and on Feb. 10 with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Homan took over the Minnesota operation in late January after the second fatal shooting by federal officers and the ensuing backlash.
“We’re very much in a trust but verify mode,” Walz said.
He said that he will receive more information from the administration “in the next day or so” about the future of what he said has been an “occupation” and a “retribution campaign” against the state.
Walz said, “Every indication I have is that this thing is winding up.”
He noted that the situation could change, however.
“It would be my hope that Mr. Homan goes out before Friday and announces that this thing is done, and they’re bringing her down and they’re bringing her down in days,” Walz said. “That would be my expectation.”
Walz said he expects Homan to follow through on his plan, announced last week, to remove 700 federal officers from Minnesota swiftly, although 2,300 would remain in the state.
Homan cited an “increase in unprecedented collaboration” as a reason for the drawdown, including assistance from local jails holding inmates eligible for deportation.
The governor also suggested future “cooperation on joint investigations” into the officer-involved shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. He did not give further details. State investigators have not been involved in the investigations and are unable to gain access to evidence.
The operation, part of President Donald Trump’s immigration policy, has focused on illegal immigrants and felons, especially Minnesota’s Somali community.
Homan said in a December 2025 CNN interview: “There’s a large illegal Somali community there. If you’re a U.S. citizen, you will have nothing to fear. We’re looking for criminal aliens. And, also, if you’re a resident alien, you have a felony conviction, by statute, you could be set up for deportation.”
Homan has met with Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both of whom have been opposed to the administration’s enforcement operations.
Walz convened the Feb. 10 news conference to underscore the crackdown’s negative economic effects. He spoke at The Market at Malcolm Yards, a food hall where owner Patty Wall called the local restaurant industry “collateral damage.”
“So it is great news, of course, that the posture seems to have changed at the federal level toward their activities here in Minnesota,” Varilek said. “But, as the governor said, it’s a trust-but-verify situation. And frankly, the fear that has been sown, I haven’t really noticed any reduction in that.”
Federal agents were seen conducting a visible arrest on Feb. 10 in the lobby of Hennepin County’s main government building in downtown Minneapolis. After a brief foot chase, ICE officers detained a man who was appearing in court on charges of possessing more than 50 pounds of methamphetamine.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty called the action “disruptive and disturbing to many.” The man could be deported before facing state charges.
“Using local government courthouses for federal civil immigration enforcement interferes with the administration of justice, prevents witnesses from testifying, and robs victims of their opportunity to seek justice,” Moriarty said in a statement.
“I have not seen ICE act out outside of policy,“ Homan said in an interview with ”CBS Evening News.“ ”If they are acting outside of policy, I’m not aware of it. There'll be an investigation. They’ll be held accountable.”
