U.S. border czar says about 700 federal immigration officers will leave Minnesota

Border czar Tom Homan said about 700 federal immigration officers will be withdrawn from Minnesota following two recent fatal shootings involving federal officers. The Justice Department has opened a civil rights review into one of the shootings while the other has not been the subject of the same review.

Tom Homan, the U.S. border czar, said about 700 federal immigration officers will be withdrawn from Minnesota. The statement followed two recent fatal shootings in the state that involved federal officers and prompted public concern. Roughly 3,000 federal officers had been deployed under Operation Metro Surge beginning in December. Federal officials have announced procedural steps, including a Justice Department review of one shooting and issuance of body-worn cameras to agents. What officials say: - Tom Homan said approximately 700 officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be pulled back. - About 3,000 federal officers were previously deployed in Minnesota as part of Operation Metro Surge. - Two local residents were fatally shot in separate incidents that involved federal officers; the Justice Department has opened a civil rights review into one of those deaths. - The Department of Homeland Security announced that ICE and CBP officers on the ground will be issued body-worn cameras. Summary: The announced partial withdrawal reduces the federal presence in Minnesota but does not return deployment levels to pre-surge numbers. A Justice Department civil rights review is underway for one shooting while the other has not received the same review. Undetermined at this time.