U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan said Thursday in Minneapolis that he will not “give up” on U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration mission and defended that in his first four days at the helm of operations in the city, “significant progress” was made, assuring that the deployment of federal agents will be reduced as people considered a threat are jailed.
“We’re not giving up on our mission at all; we’re just working smart,” Homan pointed out during a press conference in Minneapolis on Thursday morning, Jan. 29.
Tom Homan warns about Trump’s immigration plan
NEW: Border czar Tom Homan calls out Democrats for criticizing the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
“Where were they the last four years? When women and children sex trafficking was at an all-time high.”
“Where were they when a quarter million Americans… pic.twitter.com/7c6SlBSN4K– Fox News (@FoxNews) January 29, 2026
Homan pointed out that “the withdrawal of forces depends on cooperation” and that “a criminal in jail means fewer agents on the streets”.
This after being sent by Trump on Monday to turn around the immigration strategy that has left two Americans shot dead by federal officers in January.
As for the changes in the actions of the federal forces, Homan limited himself to saying that they will now seek “focused operations” on previously identified subjects.
The Border Czar added that during his four days on the ground he has met with key local authorities such as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
He assured that they already have agreements for the redistribution of the more than 3,000 people who were deployed in the field, but that during the following days they must “discuss how to implement them”.
When questioned about the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents prior to their arrival in the city, Homan defended the agency’s operations.
He also assured that each of their activities in Minneapolis have been under the order of the law and that before acting they know “exactly who they are looking for, what their criminal history is and their immigration status”, which according to him makes everything “safer”.
Finally, Homan insisted that the removal of agents will depend on “cooperation” and although he said he respects the right to demonstrate, he said that they will not allow attempts by city residents to “impede” the work of ICE and other agencies at the site.
This was Homan’s first public intervention since his arrival in the city and after the conference he stated that he will meet with community leaders, religious leaders and police chiefs to seek more agreements.
Meanwhile, a tense atmosphere persists in the city with constant vigils at the memorials set up in the areas where Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti were shot and killed by federal agents.
For this Friday different social organizations have called for a “national day of no classes, no work and no shopping” to protest against Trump’s immigration offensive in Minneapolis.
Filed under: Tom Homan immigration plan
With information from EFE
