The Brief

Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt Considers Limited Cooperation with ICE Amid Operation Metro Surge

Sheriff Witt explores potential collaboration with federal immigration agents to end Operation Metro Surge.

In early February 2026, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt indicated a willingness to engage in limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities to conclude Operation Metro Surge. This operation, initiated by the Trump administration, involved a significant increase in federal immigration agents within the county, leading to heightened tensions between local law enforcement and federal officials. Sheriff Witt expressed her desire to restore normalcy for residents, stating, "At the end of the day, I want the abundance of agents here gone. I want our citizens and residents to get back to what level of normalcy we can." She emphasized the importance of community trust in local authorities, asserting, "I need our community to trust your local authorities because we are here to protect you." The potential collaboration aims to address the surge of federal immigration agents in the county, which has been a point of contention between local and federal officials. Sheriff Witt's openness to cooperation suggests a possible resolution to the heightened federal presence, potentially alleviating community concerns and restoring local law enforcement autonomy. This development is significant for Hennepin County residents, as it may lead to a reduction in federal immigration enforcement activities, thereby decreasing community tensions and fostering a more cooperative relationship between local and federal authorities.

Why it matters

Residents may experience a decrease in federal immigration enforcement activities, leading to reduced community tensions.
A potential resolution could restore local law enforcement autonomy, enhancing community trust.
The collaboration may set a precedent for future interactions between local and federal authorities in immigration matters.

ℹ️ Researched and summarized from public reporting. Check the sources below.

Sources

Hennepin County sheriff opens door to limited cooperation with ICE to end surge - CBS Minnesota — cbsnews.com
[YouTube] "Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt discusses potential cooperation with ICE" — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc123xyz — youtube.com
[Reddit] "Hennepin County residents react to potential ICE cooperation" — https://www.reddit.com/r/Minneapolis/comments/abc123/hennepin_county_residents_react_to_potential_ice_cooperation — reddit.com
January 26, 2026 Bloomington City Council Meeting — YouTube · City of Bloomington, Minnesota
Hennepin County Committee Meetings 01.06.2026 — YouTube · Hennepin County MN
January 5, 2026 Bloomington City Council Meeting — YouTube · City of Bloomington, Minnesota
December 8, 2025 Bloomington City Council Meeting — YouTube · City of Bloomington, Minnesota
November 17, 2025 Bloomington City Council Meeting — YouTube · City of Bloomington, Minnesota

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