Minneapolis Officials Detail $203 Million Toll from Federal Immigration Operation
On Friday, Minneapolis authorities disclosed that Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement initiative launched by the Trump administration, has inflicted a staggering financial burden of at least $203 million on the city. This announcement coincided with the White House beginning to scale back the operation across Minnesota, following an extended deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents that lasted for months.
Economic and Social Fallout Detailed by City Leaders
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, alongside emergency management officials, outlined extensive losses across multiple sectors. The surge of federal personnel into the metropolitan area, which commenced in December 2025, severely disrupted wages, restaurant and small business revenues, housing stability, food security, and access to mental health services. City leaders emphasized that the scale of these impacts has jeopardized core municipal functions and intensified the needs of vulnerable residents, as daily life and commerce were thrown into disarray throughout Minneapolis.
Widespread Disruption and Human Cost
The preliminary assessment, released as a "Preliminary Impact Assessment & Relief Needs Overview," quantified the January impacts at a minimum of $203.1 million. Key components include:
- An estimated $47 million in lost wages attributed to residents who avoided work due to fear.
- Approximately $81 million in revenue losses for restaurants and small businesses.
- An additional $15.7 million required for rent assistance to support displaced individuals.
- A weekly cost of $2.4 million to address food insecurity affecting around 76,200 people.
Officials cautioned that these figures likely underestimate the full extent of the damage. For instance, the business-loss data was derived from a voluntary survey with responses from only 82 out of nearly 1,300 restaurants, suggesting the actual financial toll could be significantly higher.
Strain on Public Services and Budget
The operation placed immense pressure on local resources, particularly the Minneapolis Police Department. According to city officials, police were compelled to extend shifts and cancel days off, resulting in overtime expenses that, over just five days in January, surpassed the department's entire annual overtime budget. This added more than $6 million in police overtime, staff payroll, and operational costs, exacerbating pre-existing fiscal challenges for the city.
Reports from The Minnesota Star Tribune highlighted that up to 3,000 federal agents were operating in neighborhoods, contributing to widespread disruptions. The assessment also emerged amid ongoing calls for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to resign, following the operation which led to the deaths of US citizens Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.
Administration's Stance and Broader Implications
The Trump administration maintained that Operation Metro Surge targeted only illegal immigrants with criminal records. However, Minneapolis leaders argue that the broad enforcement actions have had far-reaching consequences, threatening the city's economic stability and social fabric. As the operation winds down, the focus shifts to recovery efforts and addressing the compounded needs of residents affected by the surge.
