Businesses across Minneapolis are struggling as a federal immigration enforcement operation, launched under President Donald Trump, drives away customers and staff. At Taste of East African restaurant, only the manager and owner remain working, with regular patrons too afraid to visit due to frequent immigration actions in the area. Gig workers are also refusing delivery orders, citing fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Hibaq Nimale, the restaurant's manager and a U.S. citizen raised in Kenya as a refugee from Somalia, said: 'Even if you tell ICE you’re a citizen they won’t listen, so everyone is scared.' The restaurant has seen new customers unfamiliar with its cuisine but eager to support a business affected by the crackdown.
The economic fallout has been widespread. A lawsuit filed by Minnesota and the Twin Cities claims some businesses have experienced sales drops of up to 80%. A January report from the Minneapolis Federal Reserve noted that nearly 20% of surveyed businesses reported lower employment due to 'fear of immigration enforcement.' Adam Duininck, CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, said: 'I’m seeing it impact everybody, just because of the lower levels of people traveling and spending discretionary income.'
Hotels have also been affected. At least three in the Twin Cities, including a Hilton DoubleTree and an IHG InterContinental in St. Paul, have temporarily closed or stopped accepting reservations after protests. The Department of Homeland Security accused one Hilton of impeding law enforcement after it cancelled reservations for federal officers, though it later reversed course. Fred Haberman, CEO of a marketing firm, warned that the city's economic landscape could be permanently altered if the operations continue, noting that many businesses operate on thin margins.
