Operation Metro Surge, a federal immigration enforcement effort that ended two months ago, reportedly drained $610 million from Minnesota’s economy, according to an amended court filing by state and local officials.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed the updated lawsuit against the federal government, highlighting the financial and social impacts of the crackdown. The filing claims the operation caused a combined $610 million in business losses—over $440 million in Minneapolis and approximately $165 million in St. Paul.
The lawsuit is supported by a survey conducted by the U.S. Immigration Policy Center at the University of California, San Diego, which questioned more than 1,300 residents across both cities. The study found that encounters between federal agents and community members led many people to avoid going to work, resulting in an estimated $240 million in lost wages—nearly $190 million in Minneapolis and just under $50 million in St. Paul.
Local law enforcement resources were heavily strained during the surge. Minneapolis police extended 500 shifts and canceled 1,000 vacation days in response to calls for assistance related to immigration enforcement activities. Between January and March, the Minneapolis Police Department accrued over $6 million in overtime expenses, while St. Paul’s police incurred nearly $5 million in costs tied directly to the federal operation between November 2025 and February 2026.
The surge also disrupted local events, causing conventions to be canceled at the Minneapolis Convention Center, a major economic driver for the city’s hospitality sector. Additionally, the survey revealed significant health care avoidance tied to the enforcement effort; 66% of Minneapolis residents needing urgent medical care reportedly skipped hospital visits after encounters with federal agents.
City officials argue that the financial and social burdens imposed by Operation Metro Surge should not be borne by local taxpayers, but instead addressed by the federal government responsible for the enforcement action.
Why it matters
The financial and public health repercussions of Operation Metro Surge illustrate the broad impact of federal immigration enforcement on local economies and communities. The lawsuit underscores ongoing tensions between federal immigration policies and municipal governance, particularly regarding resource allocation and economic stability during enforcement surges.
Background
Operation Metro Surge was a concentrated federal immigration enforcement campaign targeting the Twin Cities region. Announced and executed rapidly, the operation sought to apprehend undocumented immigrants but drew criticism for its disruption of daily life, including lost wages, increased law enforcement costs, and reduced utilization of essential services.
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