This story comes to you from MPR News through a partnership with Sahan Journal.
The city of Minneapolis estimates the federal immigration enforcement surge from December 2025 to April 2026 cost the city, residents and businesses $700 million.
The total includes dips in business revenue, lost wages for employees and additional costs to the city budget, such as police overtime. In February, an initial impact assessment placed the surge’s impact closer to $300 million.
Leaders plan to release an updated impact assessment on Wednesday morning. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey will join other city leaders and local businesses to provide a breakdown of Operation Metro Surge’s financial impact on Minneapolis.
During the surge, fear of arrest, detention and deportation spurred many immigrants to stay home from work.
In the wake of the surge, the city created an emergency rental assistance program and a small business resiliency fund.
A report from North Star Policy Action released earlier this month found that Operation Metro Surge caused Minnesota’s hospitality and tourism sectors, which have large immigrant populations, to lose approximately 4,600 jobs and $71 million in lost wages during the first three months of the year.
