Minnesota Immigrants Endure $610 Million Fallout From Trump Raids as 482 Federal Agents Still Remain
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 25
Minnesota Immigrants Endure $610 Million Fallout From Trump Raids as 482 Federal Agents Still Remain
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jun 25
Summary
$610 million in Twin Cities business revenue and $240 million in wages were likely lost after Operation Metro Surge, while many immigrant families in Minnesota say fear, trauma and legal uncertainty still shape daily life months later.
482 federal agents were still in Minnesota as of a March lawsuit, down from the surge's peak, and advocates say enforcement has become more targeted in suburbs and rural areas rather than ending.
5,600 Minnesota refugees without green cards were ordered re-vetted in January, and refugee service groups say some people were moved to out-of-state ICE detention or later told the government may revoke their status.
At least half of businesses on south Minneapolis's Lake Street corridor closed during the crackdown, causing more than $30 million in monthly revenue losses there alone as workers stayed home to avoid arrest.
The operation, launched in December and scaled back after backlash over the January killings of two US citizens protesting the raids, remains contested because government data showed more than 60% of those arrested lacked criminal convictions or pending charges.
An anti-fraud operation arrested thousands with no criminal record. What was the mission's real objective?
Courts found the operation's tactics unconstitutional. What precedent does this set for future federal enforcement actions?
$610 Million Lost: The Human, Economic, and Legal Costs of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota
Overview
Operation Metro Surge, launched by the Trump administration in December 2025, was a sweeping federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota, primarily targeting the Somali community. This action followed President Trump's inflammatory remarks and a series of restrictive immigration measures, including halting cases and reexamining green cards for people from Somalia and other nations. The operation brought a massive federal presence, causing fear, economic loss, and ongoing legal battles in Minnesota. Its aftermath continues to shape community resilience, state-federal relations, and national debates on immigration, civil rights, and executive power, highlighting the lasting impact of aggressive federal enforcement.