Minneapolis mayor calls ‘Operation Metro Surge’ damaging and destructive

MINNEAPOLIS (TNND) — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and city leaders discussed the “destructive” economic and social impact of the Trump administration’s “Operation Metro Surge” and the continued drawdown of federal immigration law enforcement officials from Minneapolis.

“Was it worth it?” Frey said during a news conference on Friday.

“Was the chaos worth it?” he added.

The comments come a day after White House Border Czar Tom Homan said the two-month operation — led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — would soon wind down.

The operation, which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) called its “largest immigration enforcement operation ever,” has been a flashpoint in the debate over Trump’s mass deportation efforts.

Homan said the effort resulted in more than 4,000 arrests.

“The surge is leaving Minnesota safer. I’ll say it again, it’s less of a sanctuary state for criminals,” Homan said on Thursday during a news conference.

“We’ve seen a big change here the last couple weeks — and it’s all good changes,” he added.

Homan said “a significant” drawdown has already been underway, which will continue through next week. He said similar operations will likely commence in other states.

“We have a lot of work to do across this country to remove public safety risks, who shouldn’t even be in this country,” he said. “And to deliver on President Trump’s promise for strong border security and mass deportation, law enforcement officers drawing down from this surge operation will either return to the duty station or be assigned elsewhere.”

The family of Renee Nicole Good, the 37-year-old woman who was shot and killed by a federal agent during a protest in Minneapolis on January 7, said they are “cautiously optimistic” about the end of the operation.

“We are cautiously optimistic about the drawdown of federal agents from Minnesota, and we are hopeful that it brings much needed relief to members of the community there,” Antonio Romanucci, an attorney who represents Good’s loved ones, said in an emailed statement to The National News Desk.

“The nation will be watching to see if and where these agents are redeployed,” he added. “The agents’ departure from Minnesota does not dismiss the absolute need for accountability for their actions during Operation Metro Surge, and we are committed to seeking justice for our clients. Further, we remain deeply concerned about the continued presence of ICE in communities around the country and we urge for Constitutional conduct by federal agents across the board.”

Good was one of two people who were killed amid the Trump administration’s crackdown. Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was gunned down by a federal agent during a separate protest on January 24.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.