The bustling immigrant-owned businesses that once lined the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul are now shadows of their former selves. Storefronts sit empty, once-vibrant restaurants have shuttered, and foot traffic has all but dried up in these once-thriving commercial hubs. What's to blame? An aggressive crackdown by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that has sent shockwaves through the Twin Cities' immigrant communities.
A 'Brutal' Blow to the Local Economy
According to a recent report in The New York Times, the ICE surge in Minnesota, dubbed "Operation Metro Surge," has had a devastating impact on the region's economy. "It's been brutal," said Dr. Bruce Corrie, an economist who studies immigrant communities in the state. "One in five workers are in the ALANA (African, Latino, Asian, and Native American) community, and one in 10 businesses are owned by ALANA entrepreneurs. This crackdown is really hitting us where it hurts."
The data bears this out - a CBS Minnesota investigation found that foot traffic at Latino and Somali-owned businesses has plummeted by as much as 75% since the ICE raids began. Restaurants, shops, and other small enterprises that once bustled with activity now sit largely empty, their owners and employees living in constant fear of being detained or deported.
A 'Devastating' Ripple Effect
What this really means is that the Twin Cities' thriving immigrant communities are being systematically dismantled, with untold consequences for the broader regional economy. As Sahan Journal reported, the ICE crackdown has left many immigrant workers too terrified to leave their homes, let alone patronize local businesses. The bigger picture here is that the very fabric of these communities - the small businesses, restaurants, and cultural hubs that give the Twin Cities their unique character - is being ripped apart.
And the ripple effects will be devastating, says Dr. Corrie. "These immigrant-owned enterprises don't just employ their own communities - they're integral to the overall economic health of the region. When they suffer, we all suffer." Indeed, Reuters reports that the state of Minnesota is already seeing a sharp decline in tax revenue and consumer spending as a result of the ICE raids.
In the end, the Twin Cities' immigrant communities aren't just contributors to the local economy - they are the local economy. And by dismantling these communities through heavy-handed immigration enforcement, the Trump administration is inflicting untold damage that will be felt for years to come.