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Trump’s Border Czar Signals Possible ICE Expansion to Other Sanctuary Cities
Tom Homan, the border czar appointed by President Donald Trump, indicated that the administration may deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to additional sanctuary cities as federal operations wind down in Minnesota.
Speaking in a CBS interview on Sunday, Homan suggested that future deployments would depend on whether cities with policies protecting undocumented immigrants choose to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
“I think it depends on the situation,” Homan said. “I’ve said from day one that we need to flood the zone and sanctuary cities with additional agents. The number of agents depends on the situation on the ground and how many known criminal targets are out there.”
The comments come as the Trump administration redirects its immigration enforcement strategy following the conclusion of Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, which ended last week amid growing controversy.
Several cities have openly opposed Trump’s immigration policies since the beginning of his second term, with some formally adopting positions that obstruct federal enforcement efforts. These sanctuary jurisdictions have limited cooperation with ICE by denying access to detention facilities, refusing to share intelligence, and instructing local law enforcement to disregard federal immigration operations.
Minneapolis became a particular focus for the administration last year after investigations revealed alleged connections between the state’s Somali immigrant community and approximately $9 billion in state benefits fraud. In response, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched Operation Metro Surge, deploying significant ICE resources to the Twin Cities.
In its initial press release about the operation, DHS announced that ICE had arrested five Somalis and six Hispanic individuals with criminal backgrounds. “Today, ICE announced they have arrested some of the worst criminal illegal aliens, including child sex offenders, domestic abusers and violent gang members during Operation Metro Surge,” the department stated on December 4.
The enhanced ICE presence in Minneapolis quickly became a contentious focal point of Trump’s immigration crackdown, triggering widespread protests and criticism from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who served as the Democratic vice presidential nominee alongside Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Walz specifically condemned what he described as excessive force and poor communication with local authorities. “The forcefulness, lack of communication and unlawful practices displayed by your agents will not be tolerated in Minnesota,” Walz wrote in a December letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
Operation Metro Surge was terminated following two deadly confrontations between immigration enforcement officers and civilians. These incidents brought renewed scrutiny to DHS and contributed to a congressional impasse over the agency’s 2026 funding, resulting in a partial shutdown last Friday.
Despite the tensions in Minnesota, Homan expressed hope that officials in other sanctuary cities could avoid similar conflicts by changing their approach to federal immigration enforcement.
“I’m hoping other sanctuary cities look at what happened in Minnesota,” Homan said, suggesting there could still be common ground even amid criticism of ICE operations.
“A lot of politicians are out there on the left saying ‘OK, ICE, we agree. You should be focusing on public safety threats. You should focus on illegal aliens who have committed serious crimes in this country,'” he added.
The border czar did not specify which cities might be targeted for future ICE operations, leaving open the question of where the administration might focus its immigration enforcement efforts next.
The ongoing tensions between federal immigration authorities and sanctuary jurisdictions highlight the deep political divisions that continue to shape immigration policy in Trump’s second term, with significant implications for both undocumented communities and the broader political landscape.
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10 Comments
Interesting to see the Trump administration potentially expanding ICE operations to other sanctuary cities. This reflects the ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local policies aimed at protecting undocumented immigrants. It will be important to monitor how this situation develops and the impacts on affected communities.
I agree this is a complex and sensitive issue. It will be crucial to balance public safety concerns with respect for civil liberties and humane treatment of all individuals.
The prospect of expanded ICE operations in sanctuary cities raises significant concerns about civil liberties and the rights of immigrant communities. I hope any actions taken are done with great care and consideration for the potential impacts on vulnerable populations.
I share your concerns. Maintaining public safety is important, but it must be balanced against upholding the fundamental rights and freedoms of all residents, regardless of immigration status.
This is an interesting development in the ongoing sanctuary city debate. It will be important to closely follow how the administration proceeds and the reactions from affected cities and communities. Nuance and thoughtfulness will be needed to address this complex issue.
Well said. These are not easy problems to solve, and I hope all sides can engage constructively to find solutions that uphold the law while respecting human dignity.
This is a complex and politically charged issue. While reasonable people can disagree, I hope the administration and local officials can find constructive ways to address concerns on both sides and arrive at balanced solutions that work for all members of the community.
Well put. Compromise and nuance are often lacking in these debates, but they are sorely needed to make meaningful progress on this issue.
The border czar’s comments suggest a more aggressive stance from the administration on immigration enforcement. While upholding the law is important, care must be taken to avoid overly heavy-handed tactics that could erode community trust and cooperation.
You raise a fair point. Finding the right balance between effective enforcement and protecting civil rights will be an ongoing challenge.