Minneapolis Restaurants Struggle Amid Immigration Sweep Anxiety

Thu Jan 22 2026 03:01:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As federal immigration enforcement intensifies in Minneapolis, local businesses face a dramatic decline in patronage, leaving many struggling to stay afloat.

Restaurants like Taste of East African are seeing significant drops in customers due to fears surrounding federal immigration raids. Only a handful of staff remain, and those who do come out often face an atmosphere of anxiety and uncertainty that stretches from employees to loyal patrons. The broader economic impacts are being felt throughout the Twin Cities as fear of immigration enforcement leads to lower sales and disruptions in various businesses.

At the Taste of East African restaurant in Minneapolis, the manager and owner find themselves as the only ones left to serve a shrinking customer base, impacted heavily by a heightened federal immigration enforcement presence. Many potential patrons are no longer visiting, as fears surrounding immigration raids permeate the community.

Manager Hibaq Nimale, a U.S. citizen who grew up as a refugee from Somalia, expressed concern over the general atmosphere of fear. Even if you tell ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) you’re a citizen, they won’t listen, so everyone is scared, she shared.

This troubling trend reflects a wider impact across businesses in Minneapolis where the administration's immigration strategies have led to significant public outcry and economic fallout. Reports indicate that sales have plummeted by up to 80% for some establishments, leading to temporary closures and reduced operating hours.

As communities rally to support affected establishments, concerns grow about the sustainability of this support. With a marked reduction in customers who traditionally would make up the majority of patronage, the effects of legal and social pressures on immigrant communities continue to profoundly affect local economies.

Additionally, the fear extends beyond just restaurants; service industries and retail shops are reporting decreased foot traffic. Studies from the Minneapolis Federal Reserve suggest that many businesses could see long-lasting effects if federal operations do not change soon.

With protests against the ICE actions becoming more organized, activists encourage residents to boycott businesses that comply with federal immigration requests. The call for economic protests resonates deeply in this cultural landscape, as many local establishments try to navigate the turbulent waters between community support and federal pressure.

The Taste of East African is hanging on, with new faces replacing longtime customers, but Nimale remains anxious about the future. We don’t know how long we can get support, she admitted, encapsulating the uncertainty of many small business owners in the city.