Border Czar’s Bold Warning: “We’re Coming for You”

People being searched by border patrol officers

Border Czar Tom Homan’s declaration that illegal immigrants are “not exempt from immigration laws” signals that the Trump administration’s enforcement surge in Minnesota was just the beginning of a nationwide crackdown, despite ending the controversial operation that resulted in over 4,000 arrests.

Story Highlights

Operation Metro Surge concludes after 4,000+ arrests in Minnesota since December 2025, with ICE forces redeploying nationwide
Homan warns all undocumented immigrants face enforcement action regardless of criminal history, declaring “we’re coming for you”
Minnesota state officials forced into cooperation after DOJ subpoenas and federal pressure, granting ICE direct jail access
Two protester deaths and escalating violence marked the operation, with White House blaming Democrat leaders for fueling unrest

Federal Victory Forces Sanctuary State Reversal

Tom Homan announced February 12, 2026, that Operation Metro Surge would wind down after successfully forcing Minnesota officials into compliance with federal immigration enforcement. The operation, which began December 1, 2025, resulted in over 4,000 arrests of undocumented immigrants across the state. President Trump approved Homan’s drawdown proposal, but both emphasized this represents a tactical shift rather than retreat. Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, granted ICE access to county jails after months of resistance, fundamentally altering the state’s sanctuary posture that previously shielded illegal immigrants from federal authorities.

Deadly Protests and Political Accountability

The operation sparked violent protests that claimed two lives, including demonstrator Renee Good, killed by law enforcement during escalating confrontations. The White House directly blamed Democrat leaders Walz and Frey for spreading misinformation that allegedly incited protestors to violence. The Department of Justice issued subpoenas in January 2026 to Walz, Frey, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, investigating their response to federal enforcement actions. Recent cooperation from state and local law enforcement reduced what Homan termed “agitator activity,” enabling the drawdown. This shift demonstrates how federal pressure through both enforcement operations and legal accountability measures can compel sanctuary jurisdictions to comply with immigration law, vindicating the administration’s hardline approach.

Nationwide Enforcement Expansion Ahead

Homan made clear the Minnesota pullout enables broader deportation efforts rather than signaling reduced enforcement. The experienced agents who conducted 4,000+ arrests will redeploy to other sanctuary cities and border operations, bringing proven tactics nationwide. Small federal quick reaction forces remain in Minnesota temporarily to monitor threats and ensure smooth transition to the new jail notification system. Homan emphasized that while public safety threats receive priority, all undocumented individuals face potential arrest under Title 8 immigration law. This represents common-sense enforcement: immigration laws exist to protect American citizens, and selective application based on political jurisdiction undermines the rule of law that preserves ordered liberty and national sovereignty.

Strategic Model for Ending Sanctuary Policies

The Minnesota operation establishes a replicable framework for dismantling sanctuary protections in Democrat-controlled states. Federal surge operations combined with DOJ investigations force local officials to choose between cooperation and continued legal jeopardy. The new jail notification agreements mirror successful 287(g) programs from Homan’s previous ICE tenure during Trump’s first term, where local sheriffs alert federal authorities when releasing inmates with immigration violations. This efficient model reduces federal resource requirements while maintaining enforcement effectiveness. Homan declared Minnesota “now less of a sanctuary state for criminals,” noting improved community safety. Though Mayor Frey celebrated the federal withdrawal as resistance victory, the administration secured its core objective: ending sanctuary obstruction of immigration law enforcement, a constitutional priority protecting American workers and families from illegal immigration’s fiscal and security costs.

The operation’s conclusion demonstrates that principled federal enforcement backed by presidential support can overcome years of progressive obstruction. While reduced visible ICE presence may ease tensions, the fundamental power shift ensures Minnesota will no longer provide haven for illegal immigrants evading deportation. The 4,000 arrests removed numerous public safety threats from communities, and the jail access agreements enable ongoing detentions without massive raid operations. This strategic approach balances enforcement effectiveness with operational efficiency, directing resources where they achieve maximum impact. Homan’s warning that enforcement continues nationwide should concern other sanctuary jurisdictions: cooperation yields smoother transitions, but federal immigration law will be enforced regardless of local political preferences that previously endangered citizens through reckless sanctuary policies.