President Donald Trump’s administration is ending the recent surge in immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota, according to NPR News, showing a shift in ICE’s presence across the state.

Colleen Moriarty, a Minneapolis resident for more than 70 years and a former president of the League of Women Voters in Minneapolis, has been active in local politics and community organizing for decades. She said she views the change with caution.

“I think it’s good news,” Moriarty said. “But I’ll believe it when I see it.”

While federal officials have indicated operations are winding down in Minnesota, Moriarty said reports of continued activity in neighborhoods make her skeptical.

“As long as I keep hearing neighborhoods reporting that there’s activity, it makes it hard to believe,” Moriarty said.

President of the Minneapolis Republican Party Shawn Holster argued that federal involvement in Minnesota remains strong. 

“If operations are that effective, you can afford to draw it down,” Holster said. “It’s still an unprecedented number.”

Holster said Minnesota may not be Trump’s top priority, but he believes it remains high on the radar.

“It’s in the top 10 and probably will be for a while,” Holster said. “The heat is far from getting turned down.” 

Moriarty sharply criticized the Trump administration, arguing that the withdrawal may be politically motivated.

“I don’t think they’re committed to finding peace in Minneapolis,” Moriarty said. “I think they’re just covering themselves.”

Despite her criticism of federal leadership, Moriarty expressed pride in Minneapolis and its residents. 

“I could not be prouder to be from Minneapolis,” Moriarty said. “I’ll spend the rest of my life bragging about being from Minneapolis.”

Holster criticized Minnesota’s sanctuary policies, arguing they conflict with federal law passed by Congress.

“You set up an illegitimate system that is in direct contravention of federal law,” Holster said. “That’s where sanctuary theory runs up against legal reality.”

Jenny, the manager of Kimchi Tofu House at the University of Minnesota — who wishes for her last name to stay private due to safety reasons — said she felt neutral after hearing the announcement of the end of the immigration surge in Minnesota.

“To me personally, I don’t feel that scared,” Jenny said. “I’m in the middle.”

Jenny, who became a U.S. citizen about a year ago, said she takes that status seriously.

“I took the oath very seriously,” Jenny said. “Now I’m American. I have to think like an American because this is my country.”

She said she understands why some enforcement exists, especially when it targets violent criminals.

“If they deport criminals, that’s good,” Jenny said. “That keeps our environment safe for our children.”

At the same time, she said she feels sympathy for hardworking families who could be separated.

“If good people are deported, I feel bad for them,” Jenny said.

Jenny said she personally did not feel unsafe during the surge but noticed fear among others.

“I see some people around me are scared,” Jenny said. “But I tell them, if you have documents, you don’t have to be scared.”

Many immigrants and students in the University area are in the country legally, Jenny said. However, the presence of federal agents has created anxiety among the people.

“I believe Minnesota is strong and there is a better future here in Minnesota,” Jenny said. “We play like a team, and I saw a lot of people helping each other.”