Minnesota Immigrant Community Faces Lingering Fear and Economic Impact After ICE Raids

Months after the end of federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, the local immigrant community continues to feel the effects of fear and economic struggles.

Aliah, a 20-year-old student who fled Afghanistan in 2021 and was granted asylum in the United States, anticipated her new life in America would revolve around education and work. However, the reality changed dramatically this year when federal immigration agents conducted Operation Metro Surge in the Minneapolis area. Despite the operation's conclusion, the effects remain pervasive.

Aliah, who holds a green card, expressed her ongoing fears, stating, "We're still a little scared." Due to safety concerns, she, like others mentioned in this report, chose not to disclose her full name, although her identity has been verified. Her family is anxious about the possibility of renewed immigration enforcement, remarking, "We don't have anywhere to go if we go back to my country."

Operation Metro Surge commenced in December 2021 as part of then-President Donald Trump's efforts to crack down on undocumented immigrants, particularly those involved in criminal activities. This operation was associated with a larger federal investigation into fraud within Minnesota's childcare sector, which reportedly involved many individuals from the state's substantial Somali community.

The operation sparked significant public outcry, particularly after federal agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both aged 37, during protests against the operation in January. Following mounting backlash, including dissent from some Republican leaders, the administration announced in late February that it would withdraw hundreds of agents from the city.

Although life has returned to a semblance of normalcy, Minnesota's immigrant community continues to cope with the aftermath, including trauma, economic challenges, and uncertainties regarding their immigration status. Fatima, a 19-year-old Somali refugee who was also granted asylum, resumed in-person classes in April after months of online education. Yet, she still harbors fears, questioning daily what she would do if ICE returned: "I'm scared still if they come back."

"When you have an invasion like this, people continue to experience the ramifications of that for a long time," stated Michelle Eberhard, director of refugee services at the International Institute of Minnesota. She highlighted that the community is still grappling with the trauma inflicted during the operation.

During the peak of Operation Metro Surge, masked agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) conducted street patrols, raided homes and schools, and detained thousands of individuals.

Katie, a teacher in Minneapolis, spearheaded school initiatives to provide groceries and gather donations for students impacted by the operation, as many chose to stay home rather than risk an ICE raid at school. Although her school's aid program concluded in April, they continued to distribute remaining funds. Katie remarked on the lasting impact of the events, saying, "The city is just this minefield of ghosts... Even when you forget about it, it just pops up again."

Despite the return to normalcy in schools, some students had to withdraw from their education to support families whose members lost jobs during the operation. The Trump administration described Metro Surge as a successful operation, necessary for removing "vicious criminals, including murderers, rapists, gang members, and terrorists" from the country.

By mid-February, approximately 1,000 federal agents had been withdrawn from Minnesota, with hundreds more following suit, leaving only a "small force" for a limited duration. However, according to a March lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Minnesota, there remained 482 agents in the state, in addition to around 190 federal agents previously stationed in ICE's St. Paul office before the operation.

Tom Homan, the Border Czar, indicated that ICE would continue to conduct targeted immigration enforcement operations, similar to those carried out for decades. ICE has stated that it does not disclose information regarding its operations.

The presence of federal agents is still palpable, particularly in rural areas, as noted by Morgan Budiandri of the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC). "The deportation machine has kind of turned more surgical, so to speak. There's less activity in the cities where there's a lot more prying eyes," Budiandri explained. However, reports persist of officers visiting businesses in suburban areas to check on undocumented employees.

ICE deportation flights have also continued, with the ICE Flight Monitor at Human Rights First tracking around 100 flights from Minneapolis this year. Although the frequency of these flights—primarily to El Paso, Texas—has been decreasing monthly, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported thousands of arrests of what they termed "criminal illegal aliens" in Minnesota. A DHS statement included details of 23 individuals arrested who were convicted or charged with serious crimes, including murder and domestic violence.

Data from the Deportation Data Project indicated that over 60% of those apprehended in Minnesota did not have criminal convictions or pending charges. Some Minnesota Republicans, such as state Representative Joe McDonald, supported the crackdown, acknowledging earlier this year that "mistakes were made. We're not perfect." The backlash following the deaths of Good and Pretti led to Trump dismissing Greg Bovino, the head of the operation in Minneapolis, in January.

Despite the administration's claims, enforcement actions persisted. In January, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced plans to re-evaluate 5,600 refugees in Minnesota who had not yet received green cards, criticizing the previous administration's vetting process as "wholly inadequate" and aiming to expand this initiative nationwide.

Eberhard noted that some refugees were transferred to ICE detention facilities out of state and were re-interviewed regarding their refugee claims without legal representation. While conditions in Minnesota have "shifted out of chaos," she remarked that the area is now experiencing a significant period of ongoing uncertainty. Some individuals received letters informing them of potential revocation of their refugee status, while others experienced a lack of communication.

"I'm confident there are many people who still aren't leaving their homes," Eberhard stated.

The economic repercussions of Metro Surge have also been significant. Businesses along a prominent street in Phillips, a primarily Hispanic neighborhood in south Minneapolis, were particularly affected. The Lake Street corridor, home to numerous immigrant-owned small businesses, saw at least half of its establishments close during the height of the operation, according to the Lake Street Council. This led to an estimated monthly revenue decline of over $30 million (£22.7 million) for businesses in that area.

"The economic devastation to Lake Street businesses because of Operation Metro Surge was immediate and severe," remarked Theresa Swaney, the council's director of operations. "The terror inflicted on this community was significant, and its effects on Minneapolis and Lake Street in particular will be long-lasting."

As many residents lost income and struggled to pay rent due to fears of arrest, the U.S. Immigration Policy Center estimated in March that workers across Minneapolis and St. Paul collectively lost approximately $240 million in wages. Overall, businesses throughout the Twin Cities likely suffered a total revenue loss of about $610 million due to Metro Surge, according to the USIPC.

Eviction filings statewide increased by 8% in 2026 compared to the previous year, as reported by the Eviction Lab, a research center based at Princeton University.

When approached for comments regarding the economic impact of Metro Surge, DHS responded by stating, "The cost of American lives saved is incalculable," referring to the arrests of individuals with criminal backgrounds. However, immigration advocates warn that the effects of the crackdown will endure for an extended period. Katie, the teacher, reflected, "Transformation can come from pain, but what these children have witnessed, it will affect our city. It'll affect what they vote for, what they believe in, what they think of our government."