Business and ICE: The Impact of Immigration Crackdown on Local Enterprises

Wed Feb 04 2026 12:11:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The increasing enforcement of immigration rules under President Trump's directives is placing pressure on businesses from family cafes to major retailers, with protests and public scrutiny intensifying.

As President Trump's deportation campaigns gain momentum, businesses in Minneapolis and beyond find themselves in the middle. With high-profile incidents of ICE arrests at workplaces and a surge in public protests, companies are grappling with how to respond. Notably, over 60 CEOs in Minnesota have signed an open letter urging for de-escalation of tensions and collaboration among officials to find solutions, yet immigration enforcement remains a sensitive issue many employers are reluctant to address directly. The challenges posed by ICE’s presence include warrantless entries and aggressive audits, leading some businesses to rethink their internal protocols for handling such situations.

From family-run cafes to retail giants, businesses are increasingly in the crosshairs of President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign, facing public pressure to either oppose aggressive immigration enforcement or becoming sites for such arrests. In Minneapolis, the Department of Homeland Security reports it has initiated its largest operation ever, prompting many hotels and restaurants to close temporarily or stop accepting reservations amid widespread protests.

The situation escalated after U.S. Border Patrol shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on a Sunday, leading over 60 CEOs from Minnesota companies, including Target and Best Buy, to sign a letter calling for 'an immediate deescalation of tensions.'

Despite the letter's intent, it did not directly address immigration enforcement or the arrests occurring at businesses. Recently, videos emerged showing ICE agents detaining employees from Target, while similar arrests have been reported in places like Home Depot parking lots nationwide. Last year, ICE detained 475 people during a raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia.

ICE has significant leeway to enter public areas of businesses without a warrant, including dining areas and parking lots. However, for private areas like back offices, a judicial warrant is required, and agents typically need permission to enter. Yet, reports reveal that ICE has been using administrative warrants to enter private spaces, challenging long-standing legal precedents.

Employers who cooperate by granting consent can inadvertently allow ICE access to their properties, complicating the legal landscape for businesses. Public outcry has risen against ICE's presence, with many criticizing large companies for not speaking up against enforcement actions in their stores. Smaller businesses and worker unions are expressing their concerns more openly.

As the debate over immigration enforcement continues, companies are compelled to rethink their policies and standpoints, both for the sake of their employees and their business operations. The outcome may influence not just public sentiment but also economic stability in areas heavily impacted by these policies.