Minneapolis — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday that he expects the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota to be over in “days, not weeks and months,” based on his recent conversations with senior officials in the Trump administration.
The Democratic governor said in a news conference that he spoke with him on Monday Frontier Czar Tom Homan And with the White House Chief of Staff Susie Wells Tuesday morning. Homan took over the Minnesota operation in late January after Second fatal shooting By federal officers and central Growing political backlash And questions about how to manage the process.
“We are in a mode of trusting but verifying,” Walz said. He added that he expected to hear more from the administration “in the next day or so” about the future of what he said was an “occupation” and “revenge campaign” against the state.
While Walz said he was optimistic for now because “all the indicators I have are that this is going to end,” he added that things could change.
“I hope that Mr. Homan will come out before Friday and announce that this matter is over, and that they will drop it within days,” Walz said. “That would be my prediction.”
Officials at the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the governor’s comments.
Walz said he had no reason not to believe Homan’s statement last week 700 federal officers will leave Minnesota immediately, but the governor added that there are still 2,300 on the streets of Minnesota. At the time, Homan cited an “unprecedented increase in cooperation” that led to the need for fewer federal officers in Minnesota, including help from prisons that hold inmates who could be deported.
The governor also indicated that he expects the state to receive “cooperation in joint investigations” into the shooting deaths of Renee Judd and Alex Pretty by federal officers, but did not provide details. That was a Friction point Between federal authorities and state investigators, who complain that they have been subjected to this Frozen Of those cases so far without access to evidence.
Walz called the press conference primarily to denounce the economic impact of increased law enforcement. He spoke at The Market at Malcolm Yards, a food hall where owner Patti Wall said the entire restaurant sector of the local economy had become “collateral damage” from the increase.
Normally, the Malcolm Yards restaurant would be crowded, but it’s struggling now because employees and customers are afraid to come in because of the crackdown, said Matt Varelick, the governor’s Employment and Economic Development Commissioner.
“So, of course, it’s great news that the attitude has changed at the federal level toward their activities here in Minnesota,” Varelik said. “But, as the governor said, it’s a case of trust but verify. And frankly, the fear that’s been instilled, I haven’t really noticed any reduction in that.”