Once-bustling businesses struggle to stay afloat

Formerly bustling businesses and markets are struggling to stay afloat amid ICE raids that have generated fear among workers and customers, Sahan Journal reports. “With the influx of federal agents flooding the Twin Cities’ streets, immigrant-owned and operated businesses across the metro are facing dire circumstances. … In many places across the Twin Cities, including in Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, businesses aren’t covering operating costs, even if they take the risk and stay open. The once-bustling sidewalks of the Somali and East African cultural hub now sit unnervingly calm.” 

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office has launched a webpage that asks residents “to share the impact that escalating federal immigration enforcement across the state has had on their lives,” according to Bring Me The News. On the page, “Minnesotans can report impacts to themselves or someone close to them, as well as incidents that they have personally witnessed, with the option of adding photos and videos. … Residents are asked not to report rumors, secondhand information that’s unverifiable, or social media posts of events they did not witness or experience.” 

Officials in Minnesota and Illinois have filed lawsuits that seek to curb the ongoing federal immigration operations in both states, CNN reports. “Although the lawsuits are separate and nuanced, both states cited the 10th Amendment to back their claim that the surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents – which has stoked nationwide protests, as well as violence and fear in their cities – is tantamount to federal overreach and a violation of their state’s sovereignty.

Although more than a week has passed since Renee Good was shot and killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross, many questions remain. MPR News answers some of the public’s pressing queries.  

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