President Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan announced Thursday morning that the federal government will remove the thousands of immigration agents from Minnesota.

MINNEAPOLIS — President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, announced Thursday morning that the federal government will remove thousands of immigration agents from the Twin Cities, effectively ending Operation Metro Surge.

“I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude,” Homan said. “A significant drawdown has already been underway this week and will continue into next week.”

Homan said the decision to remove immigration officers comes as a response to the “unprecedented levels of coordination” from state and local law enforcement, as well as a “notable decrease in unlawful agitator activity” across the state. He added more than 200 protesters have been arrested for “violations.”

The border czar said a group of federal agents and officials — Homan included — will remain in Minnesota for a short period to help wind down their mission.

“A small footprint of personnel will remain for a period of time to close out and transition full command and control back to the field office, as well as to ensure agitator activity continues to decline,” he said.

Homan announced in a press conference last week that the administration ordered 700 of the 3,000 federal immigration agents in the Twin Cities to leave. Governor Tim Walz, in a follow-up media availability, told reporters he had been in regular contact with Homan and other administration officials since they arrived in Minnesota, and said he expected an end to the operation would come “soon.”

In his response to Homan’s announcement Thursday morning, Walz said he’s “cautiously optimistic” about the administration’s commitment to end Operation Metro Surge, while proposing a $10 million relief package to support small businesses that have struggled since the operation began. Walz said the package would distribute the money in forgivable loans, ranging from $2,500 to $25,000.

“We are cautiously optimistic as we’ve said that this surge of untrained, aggressive federal agents are going to leave Minnesota,” Walz said. 

“They left us with deep damage, generational trauma, economic ruin. They left us with many unanswered questions. Where are our children? Where and what is the process of investigations into those who were responsible for the deaths of Renee and Alex?

“Recovery will not happen overnight. Families, workers and business owners are feeling the effects, and our responsibility is clear: We will help rebuild, stabilize these businesses, protect jobs, and ensure Minnesota’s economy can recover and thrive.”

Homan reported to Minnesota to replace former Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, who was at the helm of Operation Metro Surge when immigration officers killed two people, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in separate shootings just a week apart. 

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also weighed in following the announcement, echoing the governor’s point that immigration enforcement activity has been “catastrophic” for both Minnesotans and their businesses.

“They thought they could break us, but a love for our neighbors and a resolve to endure can outlast an occupation,” said Frey, in a statement from the city.

“These patriots of Minneapolis are showing that it’s not just about resistance — standing with our neighbors is deeply American.”

While Frey released a statement following Homan’s remarks, Politico reported the mayor was expected to be in New York to meet with Mayor Zohran Mamdani. A separate source familiar with the mayor’s schedule said Frey also planned to tape an episode of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.”

A new poll conducted by KARE 11 in partnership with NBC News Decision Desk and the Minnesota Star Tribune showed Minnesotans overwhelmingly believe the agents involved in those shootings should be investigated, and that federal immigration enforcement tactics have “gone too far.”