Minneapolis — A large-scale federal immigration enforcement campaign in Minnesota has begun winding down after weeks of unrest, fatal shootings, and mounting legal challenges, marking one of the most controversial domestic operations of the Trump administration’s second term.

The initiative, known as Operation Metro Surge, launched in December 2025 and deployed thousands of federal personnel — including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection agents — across the Minneapolis–Saint Paul region. Federal officials described it as the largest concentrated immigration enforcement operation ever conducted in the United States, resulting in roughly 3,000 arrests.

The operation quickly drew national attention following two fatal encounters involving federal agents. Renée Good, a U.S. citizen and community legal observer, was shot and killed during an enforcement-related confrontation in early January. Weeks later, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was fatally shot during protests linked to the raids. Both deaths sparked widespread demonstrations and intensified scrutiny of federal use-of-force policies.

Protests erupted across Minneapolis and spread to other U.S. cities, with demonstrators demanding accountability and the suspension of the operation. Clashes between protesters and federal agents were reported at multiple sites, while local officials criticized the scale and tactics of the enforcement surge.

In February 2026, White House border adviser Tom Homan confirmed that the intensified deployment would conclude, citing operational milestones and evolving enforcement priorities. The drawdown follows sustained political pressure from state leaders, civil rights organizations, and members of Congress.

Legal repercussions continue to unfold. Courts are reviewing protest-related arrests, detention practices, and civil rights claims tied to the raids. Advocacy groups have also filed lawsuits alleging unconstitutional arrests and excessive force during enforcement actions.

Despite the withdrawal, federal officials emphasize that standard immigration enforcement will continue nationwide. Analysts say the Minnesota operation — and the backlash surrounding it — has become a defining flashpoint in the national debate over immigration policy, federal policing authority, and civil liberties.

As investigations proceed and lawsuits advance, the long-term political and legal consequences of Operation Metro Surge remain unresolved.