Minneapolis documents $203M in Metro Surge damage

Minneapolis officials released a rapid early analysis on Feb. 13, 2026 showing Operation Metro Surge caused at least $203.1 million in economic impact during January alone. The Department of Homeland Security called it the largest immigration enforcement operation ever, deploying up to 3,000 federal agents across 🦆Minnesota at peak. The operation ran for 11 weeks and led to over 4,000 arrests. Mayor JFJacob Frey called the damage staggering and said it was about stoking fear and chaos, not safety or immigration enforcement.

Workers afraid to leave home and go to work lost $47 million in wages. Restaurants and small businesses lost $81 million in revenue. Hotels lost $4.7 million from cancellations extending through summer. Emergency Management Director RSRachel Sayre said assuming 750 establishments experienced major losses of $20,000 per week, the sector likely experienced minimum losses of $15 million per week. These estimates come from voluntary surveys where only 82 of nearly 1,300 restaurants responded, meaning totals are likely much higher.

The city paid $15.7 million in additional rent assistance due to lost household income since December 2025, affecting 35,000 low-income renter households unable to afford rent. The Minneapolis City Council approved an additional $1 million to help residents just the week before the damage assessment. Sayre said 20% of the city's residents, approximately 76,200 people, urgently need food assistance. The city spent $2.4 million weekly to support citywide food insecurity needs.

The assessment found 8,713 school-aged children needed food services and support. Mental health services providers reported a 50% reduction in client contact. Council Member ACAisha Chughtai said agents roamed streets in masks and abducted neighbors, racially profiled residents, brutalized observers, violated safe spaces in schools and places of worship, and terrified and stole children from families. Governor Tim Walz called it an unprecedented federal invasion in all aspects of life unlike anything we've witnessed.

Frey demanded the federal government provide direct financial assistance to stabilize small businesses and help residents recover. He called for emergency response reimbursement for humanitarian assistance, infrastructure, public safety support, and economic recovery funding. He noted Minneapolis sends $3 to state coffers for every $1 it receives, making it an economic engine for 🦆Minnesota. He said he's not naive enough to think the city will get the entire amount from state and federal legislatures.

Border Czar Tom Homan announced on Feb. 12, 2026 that Operation Metro Surge would soon wind down, with most agents leaving that week and the following week. The damage assessment was released one day after Homan's announcement. Frey said the damage doesn't disappear just because the operation is ending. Sayre said the impact will be felt for decades, even generations to come, and the preliminary assessment is by no means exhaustive.

Two people were killed during the operation. Renee Nicole Good was killed by federal agents. Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was gunned down by a federal agent during a protest on Jan. 24. St. Paul Mayor KHKaohly Her signed a City Council ordinance requiring federal law enforcement to wear identification with agency name and badge number while in the city. Her said any announced drawdown must be followed by real action, noting ICE conducted a reckless high-speed chase in a densely populated area after claiming they would reduce presence.