As ICE activity increases across Minneapolis, local businesses are seeing fewer customers as fear keeps many residents from leaving their homes. Community leaders, mental health professionals, and legal advocates warn the climate of anxiety is disrupting daily life, weakening local commerce, and straining already vulnerable neighborhoods.
As ICE activity goes up, commerce goes down
In neighborhoods across Minneapolis, business owners are noticing a new challenge: fear. Following an increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in recent months, community members — including many immigrant residents — are avoiding public spaces, and that shift is reverberating through local businesses.
“We’re seeing people hesitant to leave their homes,” said Mary Niedermeyer, CEO of the Community Action Partnership of Minneapolis (CAPI). “Our communities are experiencing elevated fear, and it’s retraumatizing for immigrant and refugee neighbors. Even routine errands can feel unsafe, which affects not just daily life, but the vitality of local commerce.”
Niedermeyer said CAPI has been working with Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center organizations to build networks of support, host civic engagement meetings, and encourage community resilience. The goal, she said, is to ensure people feel empowered to participate in public life despite the presence of federal immigration agents.
But the fear is real. Mental health experts warn that such sustained anxiety can have long-term consequences. Ebony Eromobor, a local therapist and founder of Village Support Therapy, said clients have described high levels of stress, isolation, and feelings of hopelessness.
“People feel like it’s not even safe to exist,” Eromobor said. “Some avoid going into the community, which creates isolation and disconnection. Over time, this constant threat can contribute to generational trauma and even desensitize people to violence, which affects the social fabric that supports local businesses.”
Other mental health organizations, including Creative Kuponya, indicated they are currently unable to provide statements due to overwhelming demand for support in the community. In a message to local media, the group said they are “fielding a high volume of requests from the community and are unavailable to craft a statement at this time,” and suggested reaching out to other local practices for guidance.
Businesses rely on foot traffic, regular customers, and active participation from the surrounding community. When fear prevents people from leaving home, the economic effects are immediate. Restaurants, retail stores, and service providers report declines in sales and engagement, particularly in neighborhoods with high concentrations of immigrant residents.
Legal advocates confirm the economic ripple effects. Milo Mumgaard, executive director of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, said the surge in enforcement has created both operational challenges for legal service providers and economic anxiety for communities.
“We see it both from the impacts on immigrant communities and on low-income and vulnerable populations more broadly,” Mumgaard said. “When ICE activity increases, people worry about their rights and the safety of their families, and that can reduce their participation in daily activities, including patronizing local businesses.”
Mumgaard noted that demand for legal aid services has spiked, but many residents hesitate to seek help due to fear of exposure. “This hesitancy mirrors what we see in commerce: people are avoiding public spaces, which affects both access to legal resources and economic engagement,” he said.
The consequences extend beyond individual businesses. Neighborhoods with reduced activity face declines in sales tax revenue and slower economic growth. Labor participation is affected as immigrant employees stay home to protect themselves and their families, creating staffing challenges for businesses reliant on these workers.
Despite the challenges, community leaders are taking steps to mitigate the impact. Legal aid organizations are hosting “Know Your Rights” sessions, while groups like CAPI are offering civic engagement opportunities to empower residents. Mental health practitioners encourage practices such as boundary-setting with technology, internal reflection, and leaning on natural community supports to reduce stress.
Business owners, too, are adapting. Some are coordinating with local nonprofits, creating safer customer experiences, and using online platforms to maintain engagement with clients who are wary of public spaces. Experts say these strategies can help stabilize economic activity and maintain community cohesion.
Still, the broader concern remains: Sustained enforcement activity, coupled with ongoing fear, may have long-term consequences for both people and businesses. “The system is creating a climate of anxiety,” Eromobor said. “This doesn’t just affect mental health, it affects how communities function and how businesses survive.”
Niedermeyer emphasized the importance of collective action. “We want people to show up peacefully, learn their rights, and prioritize humanity over harm. A strong, connected community is essential for both social and economic well-being.”
As the state, especially in diverse cities like Minneapolis, navigates this tense period, local businesses and organizations continue to balance safety, advocacy, and service provision — working to ensure that the economic pulse of immigrant and vulnerable communities does not falter under the weight of fear.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com.