Walz forecast of Metro Surge drawdown followed by Homan’s announcement of operation’s end
After speaking with White House border official Tom Homan, Gov. Tim Walz said he expected the ICE/CBP/Border Patrol "Metro Surge" — which brought roughly 3,000 federal officers to Minnesota since December, with about 700 already announced as leaving — to be wound down "in days, not weeks and months," and said he remains in "trust but verify" mode. Homan then publicly announced the conclusion of Operation Metro Surge, a White House‑sanctioned end that will affect how Walz pursues emergency grants, tax deferrals and licensing relief for Twin Cities businesses hit by the surge.
📌 Key Facts
- On Feb. 12 Tom Homan announced the conclusion of Operation Metro Surge, making the end a White House–sanctioned policy and giving a clear endpoint to the surge branding.
- Gov. Tim Walz told reporters on Feb. 10 he now expects the ICE/CBP/Border Patrol surge to be wound down in 'days, not weeks and months' and said he spoke that morning with Border Czar Tom Homan and Trump adviser Susie Wiles.
- About 3,000 federal officers had been deployed in Minnesota since December at the peak of Operation Metro Surge.
- Homan had said on Feb. 4 that 700 federal officers were leaving Minnesota, leaving an estimated roughly 2,000 still deployed after that initial drawdown.
- Walz has characterized the federal presence as an 'occupation' and said he is in 'trust but verify' mode regarding the promised drawdown.
- Walz is planning a package of targeted relief for Twin Cities businesses hit by surge‑related loss of sales, including emergency grants, tax deferrals and licensing relief.
- The formal end of the named Metro Surge phase will shape how Walz frames his small‑business relief efforts and his legal strategy going forward.
📊 Relevant Data
Immigrants contribute approximately $26 billion to Minnesota's economy, with Somali Minnesotans contributing about $8 billion.
Economist: Immigrants contribute $26 billion to Minnesota's economy — MPR News
Immigrants accounted for 94% of Minnesota's net population growth between 2020 and 2024.
Report: Immigrants Drive Economic, Population Gains in Minnesota — Twin Cities Business
Venezuelan immigrants commit substantially fewer crimes than the native-born, relative to their share in the population.
Venezuelan migration, crime, and misperceptions: A review of data from Colombia, Peru, and Chile — Brookings Institution
The Venezuelan immigrant population in the US increased by 318% since 2010, driven by political and economic crises in Venezuela.
Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
In 2025, ICE quadrupled total arrests compared to previous levels, with more than doubling the number of transfers and increasing arrests not in jails or prisons.
Immigration Enforcement in the First Nine Months of the Second Trump Administration — Deportation Data
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Homan’s statement confirms what Walz had previously described as a likely near‑term drawdown, giving a clear endpoint to the surge branding.
- The end of Metro Surge is now presented as White House–sanctioned policy, not just a projection from the governor after a phone call.
- The article cements that the surge’s named phase is over, which will affect how Walz frames his small‑business relief and legal strategy going forward.
- Walz said he spoke directly with Border Czar Tom Homan and Trump political adviser Susie Wiles the morning of his Feb. 10 Minneapolis availability.
- He told reporters he now expects the ICE/CBP/Border Patrol surge to be wound down in 'days, days, not weeks and months,' and hopes Homan will announce by Friday that 'this thing is done' and will be 'done next week.'
- The article reiterates that Homan already announced on Feb. 4 that 700 federal officers were leaving Minnesota, leaving an estimated 2,000 still deployed from a peak of roughly 3,000.
- Walz explicitly framed the current federal presence as an 'occupation' and said he is in 'trust but verify' mode about the promised drawdown.
- Confirms roughly 3,000 federal officers have been deployed in Minnesota since December under Operation Metro Surge.
- Reports that Gov. Tim Walz now expects the immigration surge to wind down, rather than continue indefinitely.
- Details that Walz is planning a package of emergency grants, tax deferrals and licensing relief targeted at Twin Cities businesses hit hardest by the surge‑related loss of sales.