Trump changes immigration policy in Minneapolis after protests

The Trump administration is changing its approach to cracking down on illegal immigration in Minneapolis after the actions of federal agents drew scrutiny and sparked protests, sources told Fox News.

Minneapolis has become the center of conflict between federal enforcement agents and activists, especially following the shooting of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Local leaders criticized the Trump administration’s actions in Minneapolis, where Mayor Jacob Frey called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to “take the f— out” of his city after Good was shot.

Amid the chaos, President Donald Trump changed his administration and sent border chief Tom Homan to manage the situation.

A White House official appeared to dismiss rumors of tension between Department of Human Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Homan, saying the two are working together to achieve the president’s goals.

HOMAN ANNOUNCES REDUCTION OF FEDERAL PRESENCE IN MINNESOTA, ENCOURAGES ‘INSTANT COOPERATION’ FROM LOCAL POLICE.

“Thanks to the tireless work of Tom Homan, an unprecedented number of counties in Minnesota have agreed to coordinate with ICE to transfer the custody of those who are criminals from other countries when they are released. This is one of the conditions that President Trump has set for him to pull down. These commitments have been made by local officials, and they will continue to be monitored for compliance,” White House press secretary Caroline News Digital told Fox News Digital.

Not all of Homan’s changes have been kept behind closed doors. The border chief announced the reduction of 700 employees from Minnesota, on Wednesday, although 2,000 officers will remain. He cited improved cooperation with prisons and said a full drawdown was the goal, but “depends on the end of illegal activities that threaten ICE.”

A federal agent prepares to leave the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building on Feb. 4, 2026, Minneapolis, Minn. (John Moore/Getty Images)

MAYOR OF MINNEAPOLIS TO VISIT DC TO PUSH END TO ‘ILLEGAL ATTACK OPERATIONS’ AFTER TRUMP’S BREAKTHROUGH WARNING.

Homan is reported to have changed the way Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) works and interacts with suspected illegal immigrants. The border chief has reportedly increased the limit of arresting people and completely switched to targeted operations from rover patrols, seen under Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, according to sources.

Under Homan’s leadership, CBP agents have been instructed not to approach anyone they suspect is in the country illegally unless they are a victim, according to sources. CBP agents will work with ICE officials to arrest the targeted individuals, the sources said. In addition, sources told Fox News that Homan warned agents that there would be consequences for stepping out of line.

A White House official confirmed to Fox News Digital that while officials in Minnesota will arrest the people they target, they will also “use federal immigration law” if, during the operation, they “come in contact with other illegal aliens.”

A person was arrested by federal agents on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Minneapolis. (Ryan Murphy/AP)

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Fox News has been told that there are thousands of targets in Minnesota and that targets are identified through public records, which are run through a DHS database that provides criminal history, immigration history, illegal immigration documents and information on whether they have failed to appear in any immigration court hearings.

Sources say fingerprints have been used to identify targets, as anyone who entered the country illegally under the Biden administration and met with CBP was fingerprinted. When an illegal immigrant is arrested by the local police department, DHS receives an alert on where they were fingerprinted and what the arrest was about.

DHS did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.