Nearly a month after the killing of Renee Good and twenty days after that of Alex Pretti, both killed at the hands of two immigration agents in Minneapolis, Donald Trump's administration has announced a partial retreat. Tom Homan, the man to whom the president entrusted one of the most sensitive dossiers of his second term, has announced the immediate withdrawal of 700 ICE officers from the Minnesota city. 2,000 will remain , but the goal is to further reduce their numbers.
Trump, in an interview with NBC, said that the decision to withdraw the agents was his: "From what happened in Minneapolis, we learned that perhaps we could use a slightly softer touch on immigration, but we still have to be tough," he said.
Good news, then, for the city, which for two months has been experiencing a climate of tension, terror, demonstrations, clashes, and backlash. Homan, who took control of the operation in Minnesota, nevertheless claimed that "it was a success," while admitting that "it wasn't perfect." He warned that immigration officials will remain in the city until the job is completed: "This is not a surrender."
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, for his part, called the announcement "a step in the right direction" but called for a "faster and broader withdrawal of forces." But for the immigration czar, this will depend on the cooperation of local authorities and the community. The former Democratic vice-presidential candidate also continued to push for a swift, state-led investigation into the murders of Pretti and Good as well as an end to "retaliation." Walz, who along with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has staunchly opposed the presence of ICE, also stated that the operation "is not making Minnesota safer."
The family of the 37-year-old woman killed on January 7 also spoke out recently, confessing they feel disheartened that her death hasn't prompted any change in ICE's behavior. "These events are transforming the community, they're transforming our lives," said during a forum organized by Congressional Democrats on the use of force by federal agents. Ganger also refused to accept that what happened to his sister was "a bad day, a difficult week, or an isolated incident." Luke said. "Over the past few weeks, our family has found some comfort in the thought that perhaps Nee's death would bring about change in our country," he added. "But it hasn't happened."
