U.S. President Donald Trump admitted on Friday that his administration needs to adopt a "more humanitarian approach" to immigration issues, acknowledging this after weeks of protests against immigration crackdowns in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis had become a focal point for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) crackdowns following the revelation of a large-scale public fraud case involving the Somali immigrant community residing in Minnesota.

Tensions further escalated last month when two protesters were shot and killed while attempting to obstruct federal agents during a raid.

In an interview with NBC anchor Tom Llamas, President Trump addressed the reaction to his immigration policies, but stated that a firm response is still necessary given how dangerous undocumented immigrants can be.

"I've learned that maybe you have to have a softer approach, but you still have to be tough," Trump said. "These are really bad criminals. Look, I called the officials. I called the mayor. I spoke to them. We had good conversations, and then they're out there screaming and yelling like they didn't have a phone call."

The President's remarks came just hours after Tom Homan, the acting director of Customs and Border Protection, announced that 700 federal law enforcement officers would soon be withdrawn from Minnesota.

As of the end of last month, approximately 3,000 federal immigration officials were deployed in Minnesota.

Homan stated at a press conference in Minneapolis, "Anyone who is in this country illegally is subject to deportation. Let me be clear: President Trump is going to achieve mass deportations during his term, and immigration enforcement operations will continue every day across the country."

By Sung Ku Hong, Chief Editor, NNP / Special Correspondent, NNP info@newsandpost.com