Border Czar Tom Homan Meets Minnesota Officials Amid Federal Immigration Tensions

Border Czar Tom Homan meets Minnesota leaders to address federal immigration tensions after recent Minneapolis shootings.

Homan Steps In Following Border Patrol Shake-Up

In the wake of two fatal shootings in Minneapolis linked to federal immigration operations, the Trump administration replaced Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino with Tom Homan to lead operations in Minnesota. Homan met with Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and top law enforcement officials on January 27, 2026, to address concerns on the ground.

Homan emphasized the need to support law enforcement while keeping communities safe. “We all agree that we need to support our law enforcement officers and get criminals off the streets. While we don’t agree on everything, these meetings were a productive starting point,” he said.

Minnesota Leaders Call for Community-Focused Approach

Following the meetings, Governor Walz called for impartial investigations into the recent shootings and advocated for a significant reduction of federal forces in Minnesota. “An end to the campaign of retribution against Minnesota is needed,” Walz said, emphasizing collaboration while maintaining public safety.

Mayor Frey echoed similar concerns, urging Homan to end Operation Metro Surge. Frey highlighted the negative impact of federal operations on community trust and the strain on local police officers. He stated, “Public safety works best when it's built on community trust, not tactics that create fear or division.”

Trump Stresses Continuity in Immigration Enforcement

President Donald Trump clarified that the personnel change is not a pullback but an operational adjustment. Speaking to Fox News, he said, “Bovino is very good, but he's a pretty out there kind of a guy. And in some cases that's good, maybe it wasn't good here.”

Trump noted that Minnesota officials, including Walz and Frey, remain open to cooperation on criminal investigations but will not enforce unconstitutional federal immigration laws.

Dialogue and Oversight Remain Key

The meetings between Tom Homan and Minnesota leaders signal a willingness to discuss federal immigration operations while addressing community concerns. Both state and local officials stressed the importance of impartial investigations and trust-based policing, while the federal administration reaffirmed its commitment to targeting criminal activity. Moving forward, ongoing dialogue and oversight will be essential to balancing enforcement with community safety.