• ICE will focus on "targeted, strategic enforcement operations" in Minnesota.
• The Trump administration's tactics have shifted in response to protests and legal challenges.
• Local cooperation is expected to determine the drawdown of federal agents in the area.

U.S. border czar Tom Homan announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would shift to more "targeted, strategic enforcement operations" in Minnesota, following national outrage over aggressive tactics that contributed to several fatal incidents. This represents a pivot in ICE activity amid heightened public scrutiny, especially after two recent shootings involving federal agents, which resulted in significant protests across the state, according to Reuters, SCMP, and Channel News Asia.

During a press conference, Homan indicated that a reduction in the more than 3,000-strong federal enforcement presence would occur in conjunction with local government cooperation. “Give us access to illegal aliens, public safety threats in the safety and security of a jail,” he stated, promoting his strategy of apprehending immigrants within local jails rather than on the streets, which would potentially mitigate community unrest, according to SCMP and Channel News Asia.

The recent ICE operations have been marked by controversy, especially following the controversial shootings of two citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during confrontations with immigration agents. Both incidents have intensified public outrage, making local authorities and community members more vocal against the aggressive immigration enforcement actions. Notably, a federal judge in Minneapolis criticized ICE for violating numerous court orders related to legal detentions, calling for a reevaluation of the agency's approach, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Despite Trump administration officials' tough rhetoric regarding enforcement, there appears to be a shift towards conciliation, with Homan acknowledging the right to protest while stressing a need for peaceful demonstrations. This balancing act comes amidst allegations from Trump that local officials are “playing with fire” for their non-cooperation in enforcing federal immigration laws, illustrating the ongoing tensions between federal policies and local governance in immigration matters, according to Reuters, SCMP, and Channel News Asia.