Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has accused the federal government's ICE operation of causing significant economic harm to the city, with an estimated loss of over $200 million in just one month. The operation, known as Operation Metro Surge, involved the deployment of 2,000 federal immigration agents to the city. Frey's administration has compiled a 38-page report detailing the financial impact on small businesses, residents, and the city's overall economy. The report highlights lost revenue, wages, construction value, and hotel cancellations, as well as the need for external funding to cover the losses. Frey questions the necessity of the operation, asking whether the chaos and fear it caused were worth the potential benefits. As the city seeks financial relief, Frey is confident that aid can be secured without increasing property taxes, but he acknowledges the difficult decisions ahead. The mayor also invites out-of-towners to support local businesses and entrepreneurs, hoping to help the city rebound from the economic fallout of the ICE operation.
