Twin Cities Small Businesses Demand State Relief Amid ICE Surge

Latino-owned businesses in Minnesota are struggling with customer losses and temporary closures due to increased federal immigration enforcement.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Small business owners, particularly Latino-owned restaurants and bakeries in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, are calling on state and local governments to provide financial relief as they face economic hardship from a surge in federal immigration enforcement. A survey found that 32% of businesses are temporarily closed and 47% are operating with limitations like reduced hours and staffing. Business owners are demanding the state postpone payments they control, like licensing fees and sales tax, to help them stay afloat.

Why it matters

The economic fallout for the hospitality industry from increased immigration enforcement could be as severe as the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Minnesota's governor. Latino-owned small businesses are vital to the cultural and economic fabric of communities in the Twin Cities, and their struggles highlight the ripple effects of federal immigration policies on local economies.

The details

A survey by the Latino Economic Development Center found that around 92 businesses in the Twin Cities area are facing significant challenges, with 32% temporarily closed and 47% operating with limitations like reduced hours and staffing. Business owners like Soleil Ramirez of Crasqui restaurant in St. Paul and Candy Gama of Pasteleria Gama in Minneapolis are demanding that state and local governments postpone payments they control, such as licensing fees and sales tax, to help them stay afloat.

  • On February 10, 2026, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz addressed the crisis facing Latino-owned businesses in the Twin Cities.
  • The Minnesota Legislature is set to reconvene for session next week, when Walz says a relief package may be announced.

The players

Soleil Ramirez

The owner of Crasqui restaurant in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Candy Gama

The co-owner of Pasteleria Gama, a bakery in south Minneapolis.

Tim Walz

The Governor of Minnesota who has promised to take action to support struggling businesses.

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What they’re saying

“If the government of Minnesota doesn't act quickly, we are going all to bankruptcy.”

— Soleil Ramirez, Owner, Crasqui restaurant (CBS News)

“Stop talking and start doing. Stop talking about the things in the federal government that you cannot control. Start to control your state.”

— Soleil Ramirez, Owner, Crasqui restaurant (CBS News)

“I could use it to pay a bill, because we have to, to pay the rent. We don't have any other kind of help so far.”

— Candy Gama, Co-owner, Pasteleria Gama (CBS News)

What’s next

The Minnesota Legislature is set to reconvene for session next week, when Governor Walz says a relief package for struggling businesses may be announced.

The takeaway

This crisis highlights the severe economic impact that federal immigration enforcement can have on local communities, especially for Latino-owned small businesses that are vital to the cultural and economic fabric of the Twin Cities. State and local governments must act quickly to provide financial relief and support to help these businesses survive.