Feds to end Minnesota immigration crackdown

FEDERAL officials in the US have announced an end to an immigration crackdown in Minnesota that led to mass detentions, protests and two deaths.

- STEVE KARNOWSKI

“As a result of our efforts here, Minnesota is now less of a sanctuary state for criminals,’ border tsar Tom Homan said at a news conference.

“I have proposed and President Trump has concurred that this surge operation conclude,” he continued.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement launched Operation Metro Surge on December 1.

Federal authorities say the sweeps that focused on the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area have led to the arrest of more than 4,000 people.

While the Trump administration has called those arrested “dangerous criminal illegal aliens’ many people with no criminal records, including children and US citizens, have also been detained.

“The surge is leaving Minneapolis safer,” Mr Homan said.