Somali businesses struggle during the Minneapolis ICE crackdown
ABC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Karmel Mall in south Minneapolis, a major economic and community hub for the U.S.'s largest Somali population, has seen a significant drop in business activity due to fear of federal immigration enforcement.
- Business owners and customers, including U.S. citizens, are avoiding the mall amid concerns about immigration raids linked to the Trump administration's "Operation Metro Surge."
- President Trump has publicly targeted the Somali community with harsh rhetoric following a fraud case involving Somali defendants, contributing to heightened fear and economic decline in the area.
- Local vendors report dramatic losses in revenue, with some businesses down by tens of thousands of dollars monthly, and employees too afraid to work, while clients cancel travel plans due to immigration fears.
- Homeland Security officials
