President Trump has intensified pressure on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) to comply with federal immigration enforcement demands, as part of a broader effort to address anti-ICE chaos in the state.
On Monday, Trump reportedly agreed to reduce the number of federal agents in Minnesota provided that Walz and Frey hand over all “Criminal Illegal Aliens” currently incarcerated in state or local facilities, along with undocumented individuals possessing active warrants or known criminal histories, for immediate deportation. Additionally, Trump has reportedly authorized the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to investigate two fatal shooting incidents involving federal agents.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press release stated that ICE holds arrest detainers on more than 1,360 illegal aliens in Minnesota custody, including violent criminals. The DHS noted: “Since President Trump took office, Governor Walz and his fellow sanctuary politicians have refused to cooperate with ICE and released nearly 470 criminal illegal aliens back onto the streets of Minnesota.”
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized: “We are calling on Governor Walz and Mayor Frey to stop releasing criminal illegal aliens from Minnesota’s jails to re-perpetrate their crimes. ICE has more than 1,360 arrest detainers for the criminal illegal aliens in their custody. Honor them today. It is common sense.”
Trump outlined a four-point plan urging Minnesota Democratic leaders “and EVERY Democrat Governor and Mayor in the United States of America” to cooperate with federal authorities:
1. Turn over all Criminal Illegal Aliens incarcerated in state or local facilities for immediate deportation;
2. State and Local Law Enforcement must turn over undocumented aliens arrested by local police;
3. Local Police must assist federal authorities in apprehending illegal aliens with active warrants or criminal histories;
4. Democratic politicians must partner with the federal government to protect American citizens during rapid removal of criminal illegal aliens.
Trump also urged Congress to pass legislation outlawing sanctuary cities, arguing such policies are “the root cause” of current challenges. Walz posted on Monday that he and Trump had a “productive conversation,” but claimed Trump’s staff “doesn’t have their facts straight about Minnesota.” Walz stated his state’s Corrections Department honors immigration detainers.
Minnesota’s Department of Corrections transfers convicted criminal aliens after serving sentences, but city and county jails do not honor ICE detainers. Trump dispatched Border Czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to assess the situation. In a Truth Social post, Trump said: “I told Governor Walz that I would have Tom Homan call him, and that what we are looking for are any and all Criminals that they have in their possession.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated Trump’s demands, stating a federal law enforcement presence is necessary because Walz and Frey refuse to cooperate. “If Governor Walz and Mayor Frey implement these common sense measures, Customs and Border Patrol will not be needed to support ICE on the ground in Minnesota.” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has approved using Fort Snelling as a staging area for immigration enforcement operations under Operation Metro Surge.
