A top US immigration official is expected to leave the US city of Minneapolis in what may mark a shift in the White House's tone after the fatal shooting of a second US citizen by federal officers over the weekend.
As Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and some immigration agents depart, border tsar Tom Homan will begin leading on-the-ground efforts in the Minnesota city after the shooting of Alex Pretti on Saturday escalated tensions.
The decision by President Donald Trump may indicate the administration's interest in walking back more aggressive federal action in his nationwide immigration crackdown.
Despite the announcement, online tracking of immigration raids shows the administration's efforts have still continued.
Bovino was the face of the operation when Pretti - an observer seen filming agents - got into a confrontation that led to him being shot numerous times on a street in Minneapolis.
The border control commander inflamed the situation on the ground in the aftermath of the shooting, claiming that Pretti intended to massacre federal agents.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the agents fired in self-defence after Pretti, whom they say had a handgun, resisted their attempts to disarm him on Saturday.
Eyewitnesses, local officials, and the victim's family have challenged that account, pointing out Pretti had a phone in his hand, not a weapon. His parents have accused the administration of spreading sickening lies about what happened.
Before the shooting, Bovino was key to the Trump administration's hard-line approach to immigration enforcement in several cities, active on social media and regularly filming raids and posting promotional videos showing his agents' action.
Homan, who will report directly to the president, advocates for Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement. However, he also has experience in the role - having worked with immigration and deportations during Democrat Barack Obama's administration.
In Minneapolis on Monday, tension and frustration over the presence of federal officials remained high, despite the announcement that Bovino and some agents would be leaving. A lot of people aren't able to work right now, they aren't able to leave their house, they're afraid, said George Cordero, a resident of St Paul, Minneapolis' sister city.
Pretti was the second Minneapolis resident shot and killed by federal immigration officials since their arrival in the state; Renee Nicole Good was killed by an Immigration and Customs Border Enforcement (ICE) agent on 7 January.
Much of the anger in the city and from politicians on both sides of the aisle was directed at Bovino and border patrol agents sent to Minneapolis along with ICE agents at Trump's directive. In total, there are more than 3,000 immigration agents in the city.
Some media reports suggested that Bovino had been let go from his role, but Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin refuted that, saying the border patrol chief is a key part of the President's team and a great American.
Carol Engelheart, a retired nurse from Minneapolis, expressed her emotional response to the recent events. We need to care about this country, we need to care that we have a Constitution left, and if the people organize and the people stand up, we can do this, she said, as she criticized immigration enforcement actions in the city.
On Monday, Trump spoke with both Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey - democratic leaders who have resisted immigration efforts and demanded that agents be removed from the state. Trump has criticized both in recent weeks.
Both Trump and the local leaders characterized their talks as positive, suggesting that they were seeking a way to resolve their differences regarding Trump's deportation drive.
Trump said he and Walz are on a similar wavelength and emphasized his focus on any and all criminals that they have in their possession.
The President agreed to look into reducing the number of federal agents in Minnesota and to discuss ensuring that the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension can conduct an independent investigation into Pretti's death.
Ensuring an independent investigation into Pretti's death has been a central focus for Walz, especially after local authorities had to obtain a judicial warrant to access the crime scene and preserve evidence.
Demonstrations against ICE actions and memorials for Pretti - a 37-year-old ICU nurse - continued on Monday, with more vigils and demonstrations planned for the coming days.
On Tuesday, Frey stated his intention to meet with Homan to discuss next steps, indicating the first in-person meeting of federal and local officials since Bovino's departure was announced.
