Border czar in Minnesota announced that Operation Metro Surge is winding down, with a phased drawdown of federal immigration officers planned over the coming week.

The crackdown drew criticism as many arrests targeted people without criminal records, including children and U.S. citizens, despite officials labeling arrestees as dangerous criminal aliens.

Operation Metro Surge began on December 1 and precipitated mass detentions, protests, and at least two deaths, with authorities detaining more than 4,000 people in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area.

The article notes that updates will continue as new information becomes available.

Lawmakers are continuing discussions over DHS funding and ICE reforms in light of the operation.

Governor Walz called the operation an occupation and a retribution campaign, expressing a desire for more information from the administration and skepticism about the ongoing federal presence.

State officials’ responses and political debate continue as the crackdown concludes.

DHS officials did not provide comment on Walz’s remarks.

DHS officials did not respond to requests for comment on the governor’s statements.

The broader context involves the administration’s push to increase deportations, expand ICE funding, and hire more agents, fueling nationwide scrutiny of ICE’s role in communities.

Community responses included mutual aid efforts, visible ICE patrols in neighborhoods, and protests; the crackdown followed by two fatalities and ongoing demonstrations.

A Senate hearing examined a fatal incident involving Alex Pretti, with lawmakers focusing on use of force and de-escalation practices.