The number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating in Minnesota is set to be reduced following a direct intervention by Governor Tim Walz in a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, marking a shift in the federal immigration posture in the state.
Both confirmed on Monday that they discussed immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, as well as ongoing investigations into the recent deaths of two U.S. citizens during incidents involving federal agents. According to Walz, the president agreed to consider scaling back the federal presence while improving coordination with state authorities.
Trump and Walz will reduce the number of ICE agents in Minnesota
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said Walz had contacted him to ask that they “work together” in Minnesota, noting that they appeared to be “on the same wavelength.” Trump added that both were satisfied with the involvement of Tom Homan, the administration’s border czar, in overseeing operations in the state.
“I told Governor Walz that I would have Tom Homan call him, and that we are looking for each and every criminal they have in their possession,” Trump wrote.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later said Trump had urged Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to increase cooperation with the federal government, tying the continued “presence” of ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Minnesota to local compliance with federal enforcement priorities.
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Walz, however, emphasized that his call with Trump focused on accountability and de-escalation. Speaking to reporters, the Democratic governor said he pressed the president to allow “impartial investigations into the shootings in Minneapolis involving federal agents” and to reduce the number of federal officers deployed in the state. The cases involve the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both U.S. citizens.
A new chapter for Minnesota
According to Walz, Trump agreed to speak with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure Minnesota authorities can carry out independent investigations “as would normally be the case.” He also confirmed that the president agreed to review the size of the federal law enforcement footprint in Minnesota and to pursue a more coordinated approach focused specifically on violent criminals.
Leavitt stated that Trump is demanding what she called “a clear and simple path to restoring law and order in Minnesota,” a message she said applies broadly to Democratic leaders nationwide. She outlined federal expectations, including the immediate transfer of undocumented immigrants with criminal records or active warrants to federal custody for deportation, as well as cooperation from local police in identifying and detaining undocumented individuals sought for crimes, particularly violent offenses.
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Walz responded by reiterating that Minnesota authorities already notify ICE when individuals in state custody are not U.S. citizens. He also rejected claims of noncooperation, stating that no detainees have been released without ensuring a proper transfer of custody.
The agreement to potentially reduce ICE agents signals a rare point of convergence between the Trump administration and a Democratic governor, amid heightened scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement tactics in Minnesota.
