Overview
- White House border czar Tom Homan said Operation Metro Surge is ending with most immigration agents departing over the coming days, while a smaller federal footprint remains to close out operations.
- Homeland Security Investigations will stay surged in Minneapolis for a widescale fraud probe, with DHS citing ongoing efforts tied to multibillion‑dollar benefit fraud first outlined by the U.S. attorney in December.
- Minneapolis’ preliminary assessment for January details $81 million in small‑business revenue losses, $47 million in lost wages, $38 million in unrealized construction value, $4.7 million in hotel cancellations, and more than $6 million in city response costs.
- Officials report heightened social needs linked to the surge, including approximately 76,200 residents facing food insecurity and 8,713 school‑aged children requiring added services, while cautioning the totals are likely undercounts due to limited survey responses.
- The recovery effort is ramping up with the Minneapolis Foundation launching a $4 million grant fund for affected businesses, city approval of $1 million in rent assistance, Governor Tim Walz proposing $10 million in small‑business relief, and St. Paul estimating about $3.4 million in monthly revenue losses from surveyed firms.