BREAKING — White House Border Czar Tom Homan declared on January 29, 2026, that he will remain in Minneapolis “until the problem is gone,” asserting measurable progress in federal immigration enforcement operations and reaffirming his commitment to restoring law and order in the city. Homan’s comments came during a press conference less than a week after President Donald Trump dispatched him to Minnesota to take direct charge of immigration enforcement amid heightened tensions following recent fatal shootings involving federal agents and local protests.

Homan, a Trump appointee and former senior Immigration and Customs Enforcement official, emphasized that his presence was not for “photo ops or headlines” but to implement real solutions on the ground. He credited meetings with state and local leaders, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and county sheriffs, with helping to forge agreements on public safety priorities while also insisting that law enforcement must be able to operate without obstruction. 

Highlighting cooperation with Minnesota law enforcement, Homan said progress has been made in ensuring county jails notify federal authorities about individuals subject to immigration detainers, which can reduce the need for large street-level sweeps and allow federal officers to focus on “targeted strategic enforcement operations” against public safety threats. Homan stressed that the federal presence could eventually be reduced and agents redeployed once sufficient cooperation and operational efficiency are achieved. :

Homan also reiterated the Trump Administration’s position that federal immigration enforcement must continue strongly in sanctuary jurisdictions that restrict cooperation with ICE, characterizing those policies as endangering public safety. He maintained a “zero tolerance” stance toward protests or actions that impede federal law enforcement duties, framing such obstruction as part of the challenge he was sent to address.

The announcement comes at a pivotal moment as federal immigration operations in Minneapolis have faced intense scrutiny and political backlash following highly publicized deaths during enforcement actions. The Border Czar’s statements signal both firmness in pursuing the administration’s immigration priorities and a willingness to adjust tactics, emphasizing targeted arrests and enhanced coordination with local authorities to improve outcomes and reduce conflict.