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The White House issued a three-step ultimatum to Minnesota officials on Monday, conditioning the withdrawal of federal immigration enforcement operations on the state's full cooperation with deportation efforts following deadly confrontations between agents and residents.
President Donald Trump "outlined a clear and simple path to restoring law and order" in Minnesota to Governor Tim Walz, according to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. The demands come after two fatal shootings of American citizens by federal agents during immigration operations sparked mass protests across the state.
The administration's first requirement calls for Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and other Democratic leaders to transfer all undocumented individuals currently held in state prisons and jails to federal authorities, along with anyone who has active warrants or known criminal histories.
The second step requires state and local law enforcement to surrender all undocumented people arrested by local police to federal immigration authorities. Third, local police must assist federal officials in apprehending and detaining individuals wçanted for crimes, particularly violent offenses.
Leavitt said Customs and Border Patrol operations would cease in Minnesota only if officials implement these measures. CBP is conducting its own internal review, she noted.
The spokesperson blamed Saturday's fatal shooting on "deliberate and hostile resistance by Democrat leaders in Minnesota," stating that nobody in the White House, including Trump, wants to see people getting hurt or killed in American streets. She accused Walz and Frey of spreading lies about federal officers and blocking local police cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Leavitt suggested Trump's "cover-up" allegation refers to Minnesota officials encouraging protesters in an attempt to distract from what she described as widespread fraud in the state. The administration is examining whether active organization among left-wing groups is occurring, with the FBI and Justice Department investigating, she said.
The fraud accusations stem from unproven claims by a right-wing influencer alleging misconduct related to publicly subsidized daycare centers among Minneapolis' Somali residents. Local officials have denied these allegations.
Trump announced Monday he is dispatching border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota following the fatal shootings. The president said he and Walz appeared to be on a similar wavelength during their discussions.
The confrontation between federal immigration enforcement and state officials represents one of the most significant clashes between the Trump administration and Democratic state leadership over immigration policy implementation.
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