Alex Pretti, 37, was shot and killed on Jan. 24 in Minneapolis -- the second shooting of a U.S. citizen last month by federal agents in the city. His death was ruled a homicide by the county medical examiner.
The shooting of Pretti, an ICU nurse, ratcheted up tensions, as protesters clashed in the streets with law enforcement in the aftermath of the shooting.
The incident followed the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, on Jan. 7.
Operation Metro Surge 'needs to end immediately': Frey
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey released a statement following Wednesday morning's announcement of a reduction in federal agents in the state.
Frey said that having 2,000 ICE officers "is not de-escalation," and cited the increased fear and intimidation that the city has endured in the last month.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks during a press conference on January 22, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
"My message to the White House has been consistent – Operation Metro Surge has been catastrophic for our residents and businesses. It needs to end immediately," he said.
-ABC News' Janice McDonald
Feb 04, 2026, 11:51 AM EST
Minnesota school districts sue Trump administration
A group of Minnesota school districts and educators sued the Trump administration on Wednesday, alleging that a surge in immigration enforcement at or near school property has created a "pervasive climate of fear" that is driving down attendance and has rescinded long-standing policy that protected schools.
The school districts along with a teachers union have asked a federal judge to block the government from carrying out immigration enforcement operations at or near school property without a judicial warrant.
US Border Patrol agents detain a person near Roosevelt High School during dismissal time in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 7, 2026.
Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images
"In recent weeks, the administration has launched 'Operation Metro Surge' to accelerate its immigration enforcement efforts in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, which has resulted in federal agents becoming an increasingly common presence at or near schools and school bus stops," the lawyers representing the school districts and educators wrote.
As a result of Operation Metro Surge, school districts and teachers across Minnesota have reported "significant reductions in attendance," the complaint alleges.
According to the lawsuit, the federal government has for more than 30 years restricted immigration enforcement near schools and other "sensitive locations."
"The federal government has long recognized that it could effectively enforce immigration laws without, in its words, ‘denying or limiting... children access to their schools,'" the lawsuit claims.
-ABC News' Laura Romero
Feb 04, 2026, 10:52 AM EST
Walz responds to news of federal 'draw down'
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz posted a statement on social media Wednesday, reacting to the announcement that the federal government would remove 700 agents from Minnesota but leave 2,000 for immigration enforcement.
"Today's announcement is a step in the right direction, but we need a faster and larger drawdown of forces, state-led investigations into the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, and an end to this campaign of retribution," Walz said.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks during a news conference in Blaine, Minn., Jan. 25, 2026.
Abbie Parr/AP
Feb 04, 2026, 9:37 AM EST
2,000 fed officers will remain in state, Homan said
When asked to clarify how many federal agents will remain in Minnesota, Border Czar Tom Homan said, "right around 2,000," would be doing "immigration enforcement efforts."
Homan noted that the pre-operation footprint was 150 agents.
"We got to remember, we have special agents on detail here doing fraud investigation. They're not going anywhere," Homan added. "They're going to finish their jobs.
White House 'border czar' Tom Homan speaks during a press conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 4, 2026.
