US border czar Tom Homan said on Thursday (Jan 29) that federal immigration agents in Minneapolis will focus on more targeted operations, stepping back from widespread street enforcement that has sparked widespread outrage and protests.
Homan said at a news conference that agents would target immigrants with criminal records and national security risks, a shift from earlier tactics that included random street stops.
“We can do better,” Homan said, acknowledging for the first time that the operation had failed. “We’ve made some significant gains, significant coordination and collaboration, and you’re going to see massive changes happening here in this city.”
The force could be reduced by local cooperation
Homan said the roughly 3,000 federal agents deployed in Minneapolis could be reduced if state and local leaders work together. He said recent meetings with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey — both outspoken critics of the increase in enforcement — have been productive.
“We’re not giving up on our mission at all, we’re just doing it smarter,” Homan said.
He also called for expanding ICE access to Minnesota jails to detain targeted immigrants after release, arguing that would reduce the need for “dangerous” street operations.
ICE told to avoid ‘agitators’
Internal guidance issued by a senior Immigration and Customs Enforcement official directs agents to limit cooperation with “agitators” to avoid inflaming tensions, according to a document reviewed by Reuters.
The directive directs officers to prioritize immigrants with felony charges or convictions — a departure from earlier enforcement methods that relied on broad and visible street sweeps.
After the Omar incident, political tensions increased
The Justice Department has separately charged Anthony Kazmierczak with assaulting or intimidating a U.S. official after he allegedly sprayed Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar with apple cider vinegar at a town hall Tuesday.
Omar blamed President Donald Trump’s rhetoric for the attack. Trump, who has repeatedly targeted Omar, dismissed the incident and suggested without evidence that it was staged.
Kazmierczak, a Trump supporter according to social media records, has two previous DUI convictions. It was not clear if he had legal representation.
The shooting deepens public anger
Minneapolis has seen sustained protests since two fatal shootings involving federal agents.
Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed by an ICE agent on January 7th. Public anger escalated further after Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was killed by federal agents on Saturday.
Trump administration officials initially described the two victims as “domestic terrorists,” a claim contradicted by multiple videos reviewed by Reuters.
The ‘seasoned agent’ fired the fatal shots
Union officials said the Border Patrol agent involved in Pretti’s killing was experienced.
“He wasn’t a rookie, he was a seasoned agent,” said Paul Perez, president of the National Border Patrol Council, citing about eight years of service and extensive training in firearms and crowd control.
Authorities have not released the names of the undercover agents involved or detailed their backgrounds.
An earlier confrontation raises questions
Verified video shows Pretti had a confrontation with federal agents 11 days before his death, during which he yelled, spat and damaged a vehicle before being subdued and released. A firearm is seen in his waistband during the encounter.
Footage of Saturday’s shooting shows an agent removing Pretti’s gun from his waistband after he was handcuffed to the ground. Seconds later, another officer fired the first shot into Pretti’s back.
Pretti had a legal permit to carry a concealed weapon.
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