Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers operating in Minnesota have been directed not to “COMMUNICATE OR ENGAGE” with what the agency describes as “agitators” during future enforcement actions, according to new internal guidance issued by ICE leadership.
The instructions, circulated Wednesday and reviewed by Reuters, also significantly narrow the scope of enforcement activity. Under the revised approach, ICE operations in Minnesota will be limited to targeting immigrants who have criminal charges or convictions. This marks a shift away from the broader enforcement sweeps that previously sparked intense backlash, court challenges, and street protests across the state.
The internal email, sent by a senior ICE official, was blunt in its language and intent. “DO NOT COMMUNICATE OR ENGAGE WITH AGITATORS,” the guidance states. “It serves no purpose other than inflaming the situation. No one is going to convince the other. The only communication should be the officers issuing commands.”
As part of the new protocol, ICE officers will now be equipped with megaphones and instructed to clearly announce each step of an arrest. The move is intended to bring order and structure to enforcement actions after a series of volatile scenes in which arrests were surrounded by protesters, leading to chaotic confrontations.
The guidance offers the clearest indication yet of how the Trump administration is adjusting its immigration enforcement strategy in Minnesota following sustained political pressure. That pressure intensified after two U.S. citizens were shot and killed by federal officers during separate incidents tied to immigration operations, triggering widespread protests and national scrutiny.
The revised directives come just days after President Donald Trump shifted leadership of Minnesota’s immigration operation. Trump placed border czar Tom Homan in charge, replacing Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who had been overseeing the effort. Bovino has since been demoted and is expected to retire.
The leadership change signaled a broader reset in how the administration intends to conduct enforcement in the state. Homan has emphasized efficiency, safety, and cooperation with local law enforcement, arguing that targeted arrests carried out in controlled environments reduce the need for large, visible federal deployments.
By instructing officers not to engage verbally with protesters, ICE leadership appears to be aiming to minimize flashpoints that can quickly escalate into disorder. The guidance reflects the view that interactions with activists often fuel confrontation without advancing enforcement goals.
Limiting arrests to individuals with criminal records is also meant to refocus resources and reduce community tension. The broader sweeps conducted earlier in the operation had drawn fierce criticism from state officials, activists, and some members of Congress, who accused federal agencies of overreach and poor judgment.
The new rules underscore an effort to impose discipline and clarity on the ground. Rather than attempting to debate or reason with protesters during arrests, officers are now expected to give clear commands, complete their tasks, and disengage as quickly as possible.
While the guidance does not spell out every operational detail, it represents a notable recalibration from the earlier phase of enforcement in Minnesota. The administration appears to be seeking a balance between maintaining a tough stance on immigration enforcement and reducing the public confrontations that have dominated headlines.
For now, ICE leadership says the changes are designed to restore order, protect officers, and keep operations focused on criminal targets — while avoiding unnecessary engagement that has previously inflamed already tense situations.
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