Minneapolis Immigrant-Owned Businesses Suffer $200M Hit from ICE Fears

Closures and reduced spending by immigrant communities have taken a major toll on the city's economy.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Immigrant-owned businesses in Minneapolis are facing a significant downturn in sales, driven by anxieties stemming from recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the area. The City of Minneapolis estimates the closures and reduced spending have resulted in a $200 million hit to the city's revenue, underscoring the vital role immigrant-owned businesses play in the local economy.

Why it matters

The economic fallout extends beyond just the immigrant communities, as reduced incomes and job losses will also impact federal tax revenues like Social Security and Medicare. Economists warn that continued losses could 'wound the goose that's laying the golden egg' - referring to the crucial contributions of immigrant businesses to economic growth.

The details

At the Village Halal Market, daily sales have plummeted from around $600 before the ICE activity to just $20. Owners have launched a GoFundMe campaign in a bid to stay afloat. Immigrants in the Twin Cities wield $14.5 billion in spending power and contribute $5.3 billion in taxes annually, including $2 billion in state and local taxes.

  • The City of Minneapolis estimates the $200 million economic hit due to closures and reduced spending by immigrant communities.
  • Daily sales at the Village Halal Market have dropped from around $600 to just $20 since the recent ICE activity.

The players

Dr. Bruce Corrie

A local economist who emphasizes the severity of these business closures, noting that 'when a restaurant, for example, closes, there's no recovery there.'

Saed Gedi

An employee at the Village Halal Market, reflecting the desperation felt by many business owners as they 'just try their best' to stay afloat.

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What they’re saying

“When a restaurant, for example, closes, there's no recovery there.”

— Dr. Bruce Corrie, Economist (newsy-today.com)

“We're just trying our best.”

— Saed Gedi, Employee, Village Halal Market (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

Economists predict a lengthy recovery period, with the speed of recovery hinging on a shift in the prevailing atmosphere and a return of consumer confidence and spending.

The takeaway

This crisis highlights the vital economic contributions of immigrant-owned businesses in Minneapolis and the broader ripple effects that can occur when these communities face uncertainty. Supporting local immigrant-owned enterprises can help bolster the city's economy and show solidarity with the community.