Another wintry storm Friday

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says President Donald Trump has agreed to "consider" reducing the number of federal agents in the state, following the killing of Alex Pretti. Border Patrol commander at large Greg Bovino has left the state along with “some agents.” And “border czar” Tom Homan is replacing him as the public face of the operation. 

Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her all have had conversations with Homan about de-escalating federal immigration enforcement. And while some officials are sharing optimism, city council members say nothing has changed on the ground in the last 24 hours. 

“There was a sense of a shared relief and the idea that we could let our guards down,” said Minneapolis council member Robin Wonsley. “But I think a number of us are continuously raising the fact that Trump asked Bovino to leave Minnesota and then literally brought in a replacement and never ordered ICE out of our communities. They are still here.”

Across the river, St. Paul City Council vice president Hwa Jeong Kim shared that she hasn’t seen a slowdown either. 

“Our community members remain incredibly diligent and present in our neighborhoods,” said Kim. 

The continued presence of federal immigration officers has had ripple effects. Both Minneapolis and St. Paul public school districts have thousands of children who are attending school virtually. Parents are also staying home from work out of fear of leaving their homes. 

It’s led Minneapolis and St. Paul city councils to pass resolutions calling on Walz to enact a statewide eviction moratorium. It’s a move only the governor can make. 

Shows

Minnesota Now with Nina Moini

The latest on ICE in Minnesota

Nina Moini

Host

Alanna Elder

Author

Ellen Finn

As state leaders meet with federal officials in hopes of tamping down ICE operations, several Minneapolis city council members have been on the ground and report the intensity of ICE operations has remained the same. 

As state leaders meet with federal officials in hopes of tampering down ICE operations, several Minneapolis city council members have been on the ground and report the intensity of ICE operations has remained the same. 

24 hours after Bovino's departure, ICE activity appears unchanged

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