President Donald Trump celebrated Immigration and Customs Enforcement's achievements in Minnesota, calling the agency's operations 'highly successful' and its agents 'great patriots.' The praise came amid the winding down of Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale enforcement action that resulted in more than 4,000 arrests of criminal undocumented immigrants.

Operation Metro Surge began in early December 2025 in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, targeting undocumented immigrants involved in serious crimes. Federal officials deployed thousands of ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents to the state, described as a sanctuary jurisdiction. By February 4, the White House reported that agents had arrested over 4,000 individuals classified as violent killers, rapists, gang members, and other public safety threats, with many subsequently removed from the country.

ICE highlighted specific arrests of members from notorious gangs, including MS-13, Paisas, Oriental Boys, and South Side Crips. Among those apprehended were individuals with convictions for homicide, sexual assault, drug trafficking, weapons offenses, and multiple illegal reentries. Examples include Jose Miguel Reyes Jovel, an MS-13 member convicted of homicide and drug trafficking, and Mong Cheng of the Oriental Boys, convicted of two counts of homicide. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the operation delivered 'public safety results the American people demanded,' crediting Trump's policies for reversing damage from open borders.

Border Czar Tom Homan, who oversaw the operation, praised Trump's leadership as unprecedented in immigration enforcement. He announced the drawdown of forces on February 12, following increased cooperation from state and local officials. By late February, fewer than 1,000 agents remained in Minnesota, with activity slowing significantly.

The operation faced protests and legal challenges, including lawsuits alleging wrongful detentions and constitutional violations. Two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were fatally shot by federal agents during incidents in January, drawing widespread criticism and demands for accountability. Federal courts issued orders restricting certain tactics, and a judge recently scheduled a contempt hearing against administration officials for alleged non-compliance.

Trump defended the efforts on social media, asserting they led to record low crime numbers by removing 'some of the most violent and vicious criminals anywhere in the World.' The president has linked the crackdown to broader concerns over fraud and sanctuary policies in Minnesota. As of Thursday, February 26, ICE activity continued at a reduced level, with no major new raids reported.