LISTEN: White House Border Czar Tom Homan’s conversation with Scott Hennen
MINNESOTA – In an exclusive interview on The Flag, White House Border Czar Tom Homan said the amount of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis and in Greater Minnesota should be at the level they were before Operation Metro Surge began by the end of this week.
A small group of mobile response units will stay in Minneapolis to help agents in case they need help.
Homan said he’s optimistic about an agreement he’s made with Governor Tim Walz to allow ICE agents to arrest undocumented people released from jail as they finish their sentences.
“We’re in more county jails than we ever have been before the agreement. We have different agreements with different counties. We are arresting more criminal aliens in the safety and security of the county jail which makes it more safe for the community and for our officers,” Homan said on “What’s On Your Mind?”.
Homan said ICE has had cooperation with 80 jails in Minnesota and agents have arrested 1,500 illegal immigrants in Minnesota since December 2025.
In a news conference February 13, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the economic damage to his city from Operation Metro Surge was $200 million in January 2026 alone.
Frey is writing proposals for financial relief from the state and federal governments.
“Minneapolis taxpayers should not be left to foot the bill of this situation that has been created by the federal government,” Frey said.
“That ain’t gonna happen. C’mon. Where were they when 10 million people came across the border illegally? Where were they when half a million kids were smuggled into this country and they lost 300,000 of them?” Homan said.
Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel has opened an investigation into Signal group texts Minnesotans allegedly used to share information about ICE agents’ locations.
“[The Department of Justice] is looking deep into who’s funding it, how that money was transferred, who got money. Those people are going to be held accountable because it is illegal,” Homan explained.
Some have claimed DFL Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan took part in these chats under the username Flan Southside.
“That’s ridiculous. That’s not me, and I would just say the way that I’m showing up for my neighbors is we are getting mutual aid and groceries to families who need it… Frankly, that whole accusation is trying to distract people from what is happening in our streets in real time,” Flanagan told Fox 9.
