White House border czar, Tom Homan has defended recent federal immigration operations carried out in Minnesota, even as local leaders and immigrant advocates raise concerns about fear and disruption within affected communities.
Speaking during a televised interview, Homan confirmed that federal agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been conducting what he described as “targeted enforcement actions” across the state. According to him, the operations focus specifically on individuals who already have final deportation orders issued by immigration courts.
“These are not random sweeps,” Homan said. “These are legal arrests of people who have already gone through the full immigration process and have been ordered removed.”
Minnesota, particularly the Minneapolis region, is home to one of the largest Somali immigrant populations in the United States. Community organizations told Politico that recent arrests at residences and job sites have led to widespread anxiety among families. Some advocates alleged that officers entered homes without clear consent and searched trash left on public curbs to identify possible immigration violations.
Homan publicly addressed that tactic, stating that materials placed on public property are legally accessible to law enforcement. “If trash is on the curb, it is considered public. If it helps locate someone who is in the country unlawfully, agents are allowed to examine it,” he said.
Political leaders in Minnesota responded sharply to the developments. Governor Tim Walz warned that the enforcement actions could weaken trust between residents and local authorities. Representative Ilhan Omar also criticized the operations, calling them harmful to families and communities that are already vulnerable.
The increased activity follows a sweeping executive order signed earlier this year by President Donald Trump, directing federal agencies to prioritize the arrest and removal of undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal convictions or final removal rulings. Homan, a former ICE director, was assigned to oversee the expanded effort as the administration’s immigration coordinator.
While supporters of the policy argue it strengthens national security and upholds immigration law, critics say it risks deepening fear among law-abiding immigrant families and discouraging cooperation with police.
As of now, the Department of Homeland Security has not released official figures on how many arrests have been made in Minnesota under the recent operations. Legal aid groups across the state report a surge in requests for emergency assistance, signaling that the impact is still unfolding.
