ICE surge costs: Business seek relief | FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul

April 14, 2026 - 07:36

The financial toll of a recent immigration enforcement surge is coming into sharp focus across Minnesota, with the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul estimating a staggering $300 million in collective business losses. The operation, which led to significant workforce disruptions, hit establishments in the metropolitan core particularly hard.

However, the economic pain extended far beyond the metro area. Business owners in greater Minnesota also reported severe impacts, citing lost revenue and operational chaos as workers were detained. Notably, among those affected are several business owners who also serve as Republican state lawmakers, creating a unique bipartisan push for state intervention.

These legislators-turned-business-owners are now advocating alongside their urban counterparts for financial relief from the state. They argue that the federal enforcement action created an unforeseen economic crisis for employers across all regions and industries. The situation has sparked urgent discussions at the Capitol about potential aid packages to help stabilize affected businesses and compensate for the sudden loss of labor, highlighting the widespread economic ripple effects of the operation.