Immigrant-Owned Businesses Thrive in Small Minnesota Town

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The rural town of Long Prairie, Minnesota has seen an influx of immigrant-owned small businesses along its main street, Central Avenue, serving both new arrivals and longtime residents. However, the presence of these immigrant-run enterprises has drawn the attention of ICE, threatening their ability to continue operating.

Why it matters

The story highlights how immigration has transformed the demographics and economy of a small Midwestern town, with immigrant entrepreneurs playing a vital role in the local community. The threat of ICE intervention raises concerns about the vulnerability of immigrant-owned businesses and the broader impact on the town's economic and social fabric.

The details

About a dozen immigrant-owned small businesses line Long Prairie's Central Avenue, including Manuel Tejeda-Mendez's barber shop where customers would gather on weekends for haircuts before heading out to enjoy their Friday nights. These immigrant-run enterprises serve both new arrivals to the area as well as longtime residents, illustrating the shifting population and diversity of the rural town.

• Weekends used to start in Manuel Tejeda-Mendez' barber chair, with customers stopping in for after-work haircuts before their Friday nights.