Greg Bovino Set to Leave Minneapolis as Trump Shakes Up Immigration Operation — Live Updates and Analysis

A fast-evolving political and enforcement drama in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has taken a new turn: Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino and some of his agents are expected to leave the city as early as Tuesday, according to multiple sources and federal officials. This move comes amid escalating protests, intense political backlash, legal challenges, and mounting criticism of how federal forces have executed an aggressive immigration enforcement campaign nicknamed Operation Metro Surge.

Below is the latest and most comprehensive update on Bovino’s situation, what’s driving the leadership change, and how it fits into broader national tensions over immigration policy and federal authority.

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📍 1. Who Is Greg Bovino — And Why This Matters

Gregory Bovino is a senior Border Patrol commander who became one of the most visible faces of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts in cities across the U.S., including Minneapolis. He has overseen operations under Operation Metro Surge, which has deployed thousands of federal agents to detain and deport undocumented immigrants and respond to protests.

Bovino came under particularly fierce scrutiny after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis — one of several controversial encounters between federal agents and civilians in recent weeks. Bovino publicly defended the shooting by claiming Pretti intended to “massacre” law enforcement officers, a characterization that has been widely disputed and contradicted by video evidence.

His presence and leadership have become deeply polarizing, drawing criticism from local officials, civil liberties advocates, and lawmakers across the political spectrum.

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📍 2. Bovino and Agents Expected to Leave Minneapolis

Live Update: Multiple reports indicate that Greg Bovino will leave Minneapolis on Tuesday, with some Border Patrol agents also preparing to depart the region. Officials told AP News that this is part of a leadership reshuffle designed to adjust the federal response amid widespread backlash.

• A senior administration official confirmed Bovino’s exit from Minneapolis and said a reduction in agents is underway this week.
• Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced that federal agents will begin leaving “tomorrow,” after speaking directly with President Trump about scaling back the crackdown and its impact on community relations.

Frey said he emphasized the “benefits of immigrant communities” to the city and urged that the enforcement surge could not continue in its previous form. Trump responded on social media by calling his conversation with Frey “very good” and claiming “lots of progress is being made.”

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📍 3. Tom Homan Takes the Helm

The federal government has signaled that Tom Homan, a longtime immigration enforcement figure often described as the administration’s border czar, will take over oversight of operations in Minnesota. Homan will report directly to President Trump and is expected to coordinate with local leaders while maintaining a shifted focus from the previous command structure.

A White House official said Homan will be the “main point of contact” for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the ground in Minneapolis, signaling a major leadership pivot from Bovino’s more high-profile role.

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📍 4. What Triggered the Change — Fatal Shootings and Public Outrage

The leadership shift follows months of mounting controversy and public protests over federal immigration tactics in Minneapolis and beyond:

• Fatal shootings

• Alex Pretti, 37, was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents during a tense encounter that sparked outrage and large protests.

• Earlier, Renée Good — another local activist — was killed in a separate federal agent-involved shooting, raising further alarm among civil rights groups.

These deaths intensified criticism of how federal forces have engaged civilians and fueled legal challenges to the surge’s aggressive tactics.

• Protests and general strike momentum

In response to the shootings, Minneapolis has seen sustained demonstrations, including what’s been described as a general strike movement by labor and community organizations demanding an end to federal immigration raids and deportations.

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📍 5. Legal Battles and Federal Pushback

The immigration campaign in Minnesota has sparked legal opposition from state and city leaders, who argue that extensive federal enforcement violates state sovereignty and constitutional protections. A federal judge is currently reviewing arguments aimed at limiting or halting certain enforcement actions under Operation Metro Surge.

At issue in court are claims that federal officers have overstepped constitutional boundaries, including disputes over detaining protesters or accessing local records and policies. Critics in court have questioned the federal government’s motives and legal authority in deploying such expansive resources.

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📍 6. Political Repercussions and Broader Fallout

This leadership shift has triggered reactions at both local and national levels:

• Bipartisan criticism

Civil rights advocates and many Democratic lawmakers have condemned the enforcement tactics and the deadly consequences, calling for greater transparency and oversight.

• Republican voices respond

Some Republicans also criticized aspects of how the operation was communicated and managed, particularly in the wake of controversies surrounding public statements by federal officials.

• Local government pressure

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Frey have publicly advocated for de-escalation, arguing that the continued federal presence has strained community trust and diverted resources away from local public safety priorities.

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📍 7. DHS Denies Bovino Was Fired — But Confirms Move to Leave

There’s been some confusion over whether Bovino was formally removed from his broader role:

• A DHS spokesperson denied reports that Bovino was ousted from his position entirely, saying he remains a valued member of the agency and that his Minneapolis departure doesn’t signal a complete firing.
• However, multiple sources indicate he will be leaving Minneapolis and returning to his previous duties, or potentially retiring soon given his long career.

The situation highlights an attempt by the administration to balance political optics with internal personnel decisions amid ongoing controversy.

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📍 8. Community Response — Minneapolis and Beyond

The expected departure of Bovino and other agents has been met with mixed reactions from activists and residents:

• Advocates say it’s a step forward

Some community leaders view the reduction in federal presence as a meaningful concession, believing it could reduce violent confrontations and signal responsiveness to public demands.

• Others caution it’s not enough

Organizers and protest supporters argue that simply rotating personnel does not change the underlying policy of aggressive immigration enforcement — and that deeper structural change is necessary to ensure accountability and safety. (Commenter responses from local forums reflect continued skepticism.)

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📍 9. How This Fits Into the National Immigration Debate

Greg Bovino’s departure — even if not a full firing — is one piece of a larger, highly contentious national story over immigration policy in the second Trump administration:

• Operation Metro Surge has been one of the most visible federal immigration enforcement efforts on U.S. soil in decades.

• Law enforcement actions have intensified debates over federal vs. state authority, civil liberties, and community policing.

• The political ramifications could reach well beyond Minnesota, influencing national discussions about immigration enforcement, public safety, and executive power ahead of future elections.

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📍 10. What’s Next — What to Watch

Here are the key developments to watch in the coming days and weeks:

✔️ Federal Leadership Transition

• Monitor how Tom Homan’s leadership changes enforcement strategy on the ground.

• Look for statements from the White House clarifying the new direction of operations.

✔️ Ongoing Legal Proceedings

• Federal court rulings could reshape or restrict aspects of federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota.

✔️ Local Political Dynamics

• Discussions between federal officials and Minnesota leaders may influence future cooperation or conflict.

✔️ Public Reaction

• Community protests, general strike movements, and organizing efforts may continue to influence national narratives.

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📍 Final Takeaway

Greg Bovino’s planned departure from Minneapolis and the shifting federal approach to immigration enforcement represent a significant moment in an ongoing national controversy. What began as a highly visible crackdown under Operation Metro Surge has now reached a point where political, legal, and community pressures are forcing a rethink of leadership and tactics.

Whether this move truly signals a broader policy shift, a recalibration of tactics, or simply a personnel change designed to ease political blowback remains to be seen. What is clear is that immigration enforcement — and its intersection with local governance, public safety, and civil liberties — continues to be one of the most divisive and consequential issues in contemporary American politics.