U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minnesota were instructed on Wednesday not to interact with individuals described as “agitators” while carrying out immigration operations, according to internal guidance reviewed by Reuters.
The guidance provides the clearest indication yet of how enforcement tactics are being adjusted following two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens during protests in Minneapolis earlier this month. It also directs officers to focus arrests exclusively on immigrants with criminal charges or convictions.
Move Away From Broad Sweeps
The updated instructions represent a shift from the wide-ranging enforcement actions that have drawn sharp criticism, legal challenges and public backlash in Minneapolis and other major U.S. cities.
An internal email circulated by a senior ICE official instructed officers: “DO NOT COMMUNICATE OR ENGAGE WITH AGITATORS.” The message said such interactions only escalate tensions and serve no operational purpose, emphasizing that officers should limit communication to issuing commands during enforcement actions.
Responding to questions, a White House official said discussions were ongoing about how best to conduct operations in Minnesota and that no guidance should be viewed as final until formally issued.
Trump Orders De-escalation After Deadly Incidents
The operational changes follow comments this week by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he wanted to reduce tensions in Minneapolis and St. Paul after two U.S. citizens were killed by federal immigration officers.
In both cases, administration officials initially described the victims as aggressors, though video footage later raised questions about those accounts.
Trump assigned border czar Tom Homan to take control of operations in Minnesota, signaling what a senior official described as a move toward more “targeted” enforcement. Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander-at-large known for leading aggressive street operations in several cities, was demoted and is expected to retire soon, Reuters reported.
Officers Instructed to Use Commands, Not Confrontation
Under the new guidance, ICE officers will be equipped with megaphones to issue clear verbal commands and are instructed to explain each step of the arrest process aloud. The document does not specify which behaviors would trigger commands or how officers should respond if those commands are ignored.
The email was issued by Marcos Charles, the senior official overseeing ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division.
Arrests Limited to Those With Criminal Records
The guidance states that officers may only target immigrants who have a criminal history, including pending charges, not just convictions.
“We are moving to targeted enforcement of aliens with a criminal history,” the email said, adding that all enforcement targets must have a clear criminal connection.
This marks a contrast with the early Trump administration approach, which removed restrictions that had limited arrests primarily to serious offenders under former President Joe Biden.
Border Patrol Shifted to Supporting Role
ICE officers are authorized to use license plate checks to identify potential targets and make arrests if the registered vehicle owner is an immigrant with a criminal record.
The guidance also says ICE will lead operations in Minnesota, with Border Patrol agents placed in a supporting role — reversing the approach seen in recent months, when Border Patrol-led operations resulted in confrontations on city streets.
ICE officials noted increased cooperation from state and local authorities, which could create more opportunities to arrest immigrants released on parole or probation.