Under President Trump’s Operation Metro Surge, Hispanic-owned businesses in Minneapolis are collapsing with 50-80% revenue losses, exposing how sanctuary city policies now harm the very immigrant entrepreneurs they claim to protect.
Story Snapshot
- Federal ICE raids launched in December 2025 have emptied Minneapolis shops, with owners reporting 50-80% revenue drops and forced closures.
- Thousands of armed DHS agents outnumber local police forces, straining resources and sparking a fatal shooting on January 7, 2026.
- Sanctuary cities like Minneapolis and Saint Paul sued the federal government on January 14, 2026, alleging unconstitutional overreach amid economic chaos.
- Community fear halts daily life, from schools to shopping, highlighting failures of past open-border policies now clashing with lawful enforcement.
Operation Metro Surge Hits Twin Cities Hard
Federal agents deployed thousands of armed and masked DHS personnel to Minneapolis and Saint Paul starting December 2025 under Operation Metro Surge. This enforcement targets illegal immigration in sanctuary cities that previously shielded violators. Business districts like northeast Minneapolis’ Central Avenue and St. Paul’s District Del Sol now stand deserted. Owners report customers fleeing due to fear of raids meant for criminals, not hardworking entrepreneurs. Local police track overtime costs as resources divert to manage fallout.
Business Owners Face Devastating Losses
Luis Reyes Rojas of Pineda Tacos describes ethnic targeting forcing security protocols on his lawful operation. Miguel Sanchez, a flower shop owner, reports 50-80% revenue plunges from customer avoidance, with perishable inventory rotting unsold. Popular spots like El Burrito Mercado and Boca Chica shut temporarily as employees stay home in fear. These disruptions underscore how Biden-era sanctuary policies fostered unvetted communities now reeling from necessary federal action. Conservative principles demand secure borders without punishing legal operators.
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Sanctuary Leaders Launch Lawsuit
On January 14, 2026, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Saint Paul City Council VP Hwa Jeong Kim filed suit against DHS. They label the operation a “federal invasion” with “militarized raids” and racial profiling. Ellison claims armed agents harass and assault residents. Frey says the city pays the price for unasked enforcement. Kim calls agents violent chaos creators. This legal push ignores how sanctuary defiance eroded rule of law, fueling the need for Trump’s decisive measures.
Agent numbers exceed the combined forces of the 10 largest Twin Cities police departments, amplifying tensions. A DHS agent fatally shot Renee Good on January 7, escalating public safety strains with school lockdowns and protest clashes.
Community and Economic Fallout
Residents skip work, school, groceries, and laundry amid fear, crippling daily life in Somali and Hispanic neighborhoods. Mutual aid networks mobilize as childcare crises emerge from avoidance of public spaces. General strike talks surface in Minneapolis. Short-term hits include employment gaps and municipal overtime; long-term risks permanent closures and tax shortfalls. Trump’s enforcement restores order despite resistance.
While sources note limited federal responses, consistent reports confirm raid scale and impacts. Long-term outcomes remain uncertain without policy shifts.
Sources:
Minneapolis shops empty as ICE raids spark fear | REUTERS
FOX 9 News: ICE Surge Hits Twin Cities Businesses
Minneapolis City Government: AG Lawsuit
Democracy Now!: Saint Paul City Council on ICE
