Monday, January 19, 2026- In Minneapolis, Somali‑owned small businesses are reeling as the ongoing ICE enforcement operation known as Operation Metro Surge drives customers away and sows fear in the community.
At Karmel Mall, a major economic and cultural hub for the city’s Somali population, rows of shops that normally offer clothing, food, insurance, and services now stand empty or nearly closed, with many owners waiting alone for the occasional passerby. Business owners say the heightened presence of federal immigration agents has made both sellers and customers citizens and noncitizens alike — too afraid to go about their normal routines, keeping streets quiet and commerce stalled.
The economic toll has been severe. Electronics seller Ibrahim Dahiye reports revenue down by about $20,000 a month, with long‑time customers disappearing and employees too frightened to come to work. Another merchant, Bashir Garad, says clients are canceling travel plans amid fears they may not be allowed to return to the U.S., further shrinking the small customer base that remains. Even U.S. citizens of Somali descent say they hesitate to visit the mall, worried they could be stopped or questioned, illustrating the breadth of the crackdown’s chilling effect on everyday life and local business.
Business owners and community members say the drop in foot traffic and sales is not just about economics, it's about a loss of confidence and safety. Many worry that continued fear and uncertainty could permanently weaken what once was a bustling center of commerce and culture. With shops operating at a fraction of their usual pace and some closed entirely for weeks, leaders in the Somali community are calling for attention to the broader consequences of heavy‑handed immigration enforcement on livelihoods and neighborhood stability.
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