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TRANSCRIPT
The Trump Administration's border chief Tom Homan has promised a 'safer' and more 'targeted' Minnesota operation.
Minnesota's Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have been in a state of upheaval since President Trump ordered around 3,000 heavily armed federal agents to conduct an immigration crackdown, dubbed Operation Metro Surge.
Speaking from Minnesota, Mr Homan who is also known as the border tsar - said he intended to reduce the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on the streets, after what he said were productive meetings with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
"What we've been working on is making this operation safer, more efficient, by the book. The mission is going to improve because of the changes we're making internally. We will conduct targeted enforcement operations. Targeted. What we've done for decades. When we hit the streets, we'll know exactly who we're looking for. I don't want to see anybody die. Not officers not members of the community not members of our operations."
The proposed plan to reduce ICE presence marks a shift in the aggressive tactics that have drawn national outrage, after two US citizens were shot dead by federal agents.
Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot dead behind the wheel of her car by an ICE agent in early January, triggering widespread protests calling for officers to be withdrawn from Minneapolis streets.
Tensions flared further after federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse last week.
Mr Homan has conceded a change in approach is necessary, but says the scale-back of officers will be dependent on 'co-operation' from state officials.
"We have some agreements, we got more to talk about, how are we going to implement those agreements, but as we see that cooperation happening, then the redeployment will happen."
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has called the actions of officers in Minneapolis unconstitutional, and says the city's authorities will play no role in enforcing federal immigration laws.
He has continued to demand an immediate end to the operation and withdrawal of agents.
"Never in a million years did I think that we would be in this place where where the Department of Justice is used as a weapon to silence dissent. We've been very clear, the Operation Metro Surge needs to end. This kind of conduct and siege needs to stop, not just in Minneapolis. It needs to stop nationwide."
He says the tactics of fear and violent suppression used by ICE officers are undermining the foundations of democracy.
"What's become clear to me is this is obviously not about safety. This is not even about immigration. This is about silencing a narrative or a political position that differs from that of a federal administration. We've seen this kind of conduct in other countries. We cannot see it right here in America."
While the Trump Administration's rhetoric has lent toward de-escalation in recent days, pressure is mounting for the immigration operation to be scaled back further.
Senate Democrats have made a list of demands, including that ICE officers end roving patrols, are mandated to take off their masks, wear body cameras, and obtain warrants for arrest.
On Thursday, Democrats voted to block legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies, threatening a government shutdown if a deal wasn't reached.
The two sides have now agreed to temporarily fund Homeland Security for two weeks while they debate the Democrat's demands to rein in ICE.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says the demands must be met to end what he describes as 'state sanctioned thuggery.'
"If Republicans refuse to work with us to rein in ICE and to end the violence, they're telling the American people they're choosing to protect ICE over choosing to protect people's safety. Americans, by and large, support law enforcement. I do. And most people support border security. I do as well. But Americans do not support ICE terrorising our streets, operating outside the law, killing American citizens."
