U.S. border czar Tom Homan, newly installed as commander of President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis, said on Thursday (January 29) that federal agents would focus on "targeted, strategic enforcement operations," marking a shift in the aggressive tactics that have drawn national outrage.

Homan also said he intended to reduce the 3,000-strong force of agents deployed to the city after what he said were productive meetings with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other local leaders. His appearance suggested a continued de-escalation from Trump's administration, which has been under intensifying political pressure to recalibrate its approach in Minneapolis after two U.S. citizens were shot dead by federal agents.

Homan pushed for more access to Minnesota jails for ICE agents so they can pick up immigrants living in the country illegally when they are released from local custody, arguing that it would lessen the need for more disruptive street sweeps.

Homan affirmed that demonstrators had the right to protest but asked them to remain peaceful. Some Trump officials have dismissed the waves of protesters in Minneapolis as paid agitators, without any evidence. Homan's words contrasted with tough talk coming from Trump and some of his senior officials on Wednesday. A day after sounding a conciliatory tone in his public remarks, the Republican president took to his Truth Social platform on Wednesday to warn that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, was "playing with fire" by continuing to insist that city authorities would play no role in enforcing federal immigration laws.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 29, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. GENERAL VIEW OF U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S BORDER CZAR, TOM HOMAN, ARRIVING FOR BRIEFING

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S BORDER CZAR, TOM HOMAN, SAYING:

"This is common sense cooperation that will also draw down on the number of people we have here. Yes, I said it. Draw down the number of people here. Because we have the efficiency and safety of the jails and the prison. As a matter of fact, I have staff from CBP, from ICE, working on a draw down plan. What would that look like based on the cooperation. What does that look like based on how many targets we have left to find?"

3. GENERAL VIEW OF BRIEFING

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S BORDER CZAR, TOM HOMAN, SAYING:

"Nothing's ever perfect, and anything can be improved upon. And what we've been working on is making this operation safer, more efficient, by the book. The mission is going to improve because of the changes we're making internally."

5. GENERAL VIEW OF BRIEFING

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S BORDER CZAR, TOM HOMAN, SAYING:

"We will conduct targeted enforcement operations. Targeted. What we've done for decades. When we hit the streets, we'll know exactly who we're looking for, good idea where we may find them, you have a criminal history, you have your immigration history, a lot of information about this person that we get from numerous databases out there. Targeted, strategic enforcement operations."

7. GENERAL VIEW OF BRIEFING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S BORDER CZAR, TOM HOMAN, SAYING:

"By and large for decades, ICE and CBP have carried out their duties with integrity, professionalism, and compassion. That remains the expectation out of President Trump, and we will, I will, hold our agents and officers to that standard."

9. GENERAL VIEW OF BRIEFING

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S BORDER CZAR, TOM HOMAN, SAYING:

"I want to make it clear. ICE and CBP officers are performing their duties in a challenging environment. Under tremendous circumstances. But they're trying to do it with professionalism. If they don't, they'll be dealt with. Like any other federal agency, we have standards of conduct."

11. GENERAL VIEW OF BRIEFING

12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S BORDER CZAR, TOM HOMAN, SAYING:

"I don't want to see anybody die. Not officers, not members of the community, and not the targets of our operations."

13. GENERAL VIEW OF BRIEFING

14. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S BORDER CZAR, TOM HOMAN, SAYING:

"But if people out there don't like what ICE is doing, if you want certain laws reformed, then take it up with Congress. Again, ICE isn't making this up, they're enforcing laws enacted by Congress and signed by the President. Same laws that have been on the books for the last six presidents I worked for."

15. GENERAL VIEW OF BRIEFING

16. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S BORDER CZAR, TOM HOMAN, SAYING:

"You have your First Amendment rights. I support that. You have the right to protest. I'm just asking to keep it peaceful. But threatening law enforcement officers, engaging and impeding and obstruction and assault, is never ok. And there will be zero tolerance. You interfere, impede, assault ICE officers, you will be arrested."

17. HOMAN LEAVING