U.S. border tsar Tom Homan, newly appointed to oversee President Donald Trump's immigration policies in Minneapolis, said agents would concentrate on targeted, strategic enforcement following weeks of criticism over heavy-handed tactics.
He said the 3,000 agents deployed to the area may be reduced after meetings with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other officials.
According to Homan, coordination had improved across agencies, prompting expectations of operational changes.
A directive reviewed by Reuters instructs Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to avoid unnecessary contact with protesters described in the memo as agitators.
It also limits enforcement to immigrants with criminal charges or convictions. The shift replaces earlier street checks that required people to produce proof of legal U.S. residence on demand.
Homan said teams would focus on individuals considered threats to public safety or national security but stressed that the wider enforcement mission remained.
His comments contrasted with remarks from President Trump, who warned on his Truth Social platform that Mayor Frey was "playing with fire" by refusing to involve city authorities in immigration enforcement roles.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said 16 people were arrested on Wednesday (28 January) for allegedly assaulting or obstructing federal agents.
In a separate development, a federal judge in Minneapolis said ICE had ignored dozens of court orders during the operation.
Judge Patrick Schiltz cited 96 violations in 74 cases and said the pattern raised serious rule-of-law questions.
Observers tracking ICE activity told Reuters that raids slowed on Tuesday before resuming on Wednesday in a more focused form.
Trump had earlier said he wanted to reduce tensions and replaced Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino with Homan after sharp criticism of earlier tactics.
The state of Minnesota has been unsettled since the launch of Operation Metro Surge and the fatal shootings of Renee Good on 7 January and intensive care nurse Alex Pretti days later.
Officials initially described both as domestic terrorists, claims widely challenged after videos of the shootings emerged.
Footage verified by Reuters shows Pretti holding only a phone when agents forced him to the ground.
An agent removed a handgun from his waist moments before another officer shot him in the back while he was restrained. Pretti had a legal permit to carry the firearm.
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claim...
Twelve people have been arrested in connection with an alleged extreme right-wing terrorism plot targeting a major Islamic gathering in Suffolk, promp...
Ukraine and a group of key Western allies have launched a new air defence coalition to develop a European anti-ballistic missile system that will comp...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 11th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
At least 13 people have been injured in two shootings in Minneapolis within 12 hours, police said.
The gunman who killed two children and injured 18 others at a Minneapolis church on Wednesday was fixated on murdering children, after leaving behind detailed writings and ammunition stockpiles say authorities.
Communities gathered at a candlelight vigil in Lynnhurst Park, Minneapolis on Wednesday with Minnesota lawmakers urging national action on gun control following a deadly shooting at a Catholic church earlier that day which killed two children and wounded 17 people.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed to have expanded attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Gulf.
Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit the eastern coast of mainland China this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides after making landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday. More than 2.8 million people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
Qatar is mourning the death of its former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who has passed away at the age of 74.
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claims it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
Twelve people have been arrested in connection with an alleged extreme right-wing terrorism plot targeting a major Islamic gathering in Suffolk, prompting counter-terrorism police to declare a major incident and bring the event to an early close.
Ukraine and a group of key Western allies have launched a new air defence coalition to develop a European anti-ballistic missile system that will complement existing defences and reduce reliance on the costly U.S.-made Patriot system.
Russian athletes will once again be allowed to represent their country in international modern pentathlon competitions after the sport's governing body lifted restrictions on their participation, marking another step in Russia's return to international sport.
The AFC/M23 rebel movement is using its response to a small Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as evidence of its ability to govern territory under its control, establishing parallel health structures and relying partly on support from neighbouring Rwanda.
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