- The US government will end the anti-immigration operation in the state of Minnesota.
- The walkout of federal immigration agents will begin next week.
- More than 4,000 people, including US citizens, were arrested during the raids.
- Federal agents shot and killed two innocent American citizens during the operation.
The commissioner of the US government for border protection, Tom Homan, announced on Thursday the end of the anti-immigration operation in the state of Minnesota. He said the departure of a large portion of federal immigration agents stationed in Minnesota will begin next week. Raids launched there by federal authorities on December 1 resulted in mass deportations and the shooting death of two American citizens by federal immigration agents. TASR reports this according to the AP agency and NBC television.
“I proposed, and President Trump agreed, that this operation be terminated,” Homan declared at a press conference in Minneapolis. “Thanks to our actions, Minnesota is already not such a significant haven for criminals,” he emphasized.
In Minnesota, as part of Operation Metro Surge, they were deployed in early February about 3,000 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Both fall under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Federal authorities state that during raids in the metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul arrested more than 4000 people. The Trump administration considers these persons to be dangerous aliens staying in the US illegally. However, immigration authorities also detained many people without a criminal record, including children and US citizens, AP reminds.
During the raids, the federal authorities shot and killed two innocent American citizens – paramedic Alex Pretti and mother of three Renée Good. Their deaths sparked mass protests.
Commissioner Homan assumed control of the Minnesota operations in late January from CBP’s Greg Bovin. He was the target of extensive criticism for the aggressive approach of federal agents. Homan announced that agents under his command would be more targeted.
