ICE Restructuring Highlights Tensions in Immigration Enforcement Under Trump

Sat Feb 07 2026 00:06:30 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The restructuring of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota reveals ongoing internal conflicts regarding immigration enforcement strategies. This change comes amid a backdrop of increasing scrutiny and criticism from the public and Congress.

The White House has streamlined ICE operations in Minnesota to improve coordination following months of discord between ICE and Border Patrol strategies. The shift illustrates the clash in enforcement styles, as ICE traditionally favors targeted operations, while the Border Patrol tends towards broader, more aggressive tactics. This change occurs amid growing public discontent over ICE’s aggressive actions and increasing calls for reform from Congress.

In a significant operational shift, the White House announced that enforcement actions in Minnesota will now be centralized under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), reflecting ongoing tension between immigration enforcement agencies. Tom Homan, the White House border czar, explained that this restructuring aims to align ICE's approach more closely with targeted enforcement strategies, particularly contrasting with the broader sweep operations previously employed under the Border Patrol.

Since its inception in 2003, ICE has conducted what it refers to as 'targeted enforcement'—focusing on specific individuals rather than engaging in mass operations that have sparked numerous complaints about aggressive tactics. This change is particularly crucial amid rising discontent among the American populace regarding ICE's methods, with many expressing that the agency has become excessively aggressive in its enforcement of immigration laws.

Homan's restructure aims at consolidating operations to provide a clearer command hierarchy, enhancing operational coherence. He stated, Everyone knows what everyone’s doing regarding how enforcement actions are conducted. This follows high-profile incidents that reportedly strained relations between the agencies, including controversial shootings involving federal immigration officers.

As criticisms of ICE's aggressive tactics continue to mount, the agency faces growing calls from Congressional Democrats to limit its powers. The shift emphasizes a need for a more controlled and less chaotic approach to immigration enforcement in response to public sentiment urging for greater accountability and consideration of humanitarian aspects in immigration law enforcement.

The consolidation marks an important change for ICE's approach in Minnesota, indicating a potentially narrower focus on investigations and the importance of thorough groundwork prior to enforcement actions. However, with the tensions between ICE and Border Patrol still significant, the effectiveness of this strategy is yet to be seen.