Twin Cities child‑care centers say ICE raids traumatize kids
Child‑care providers across the Twin Cities say recent ICE enforcement actions are traumatizing the children in their care. In response, community leaders have used social‑media mobilization — including a coordinated "Taco Tuesday" campaign urging residents to eat at immigrant‑owned restaurants — to shore up businesses hit by the raids.
📌 Key Facts
- A coordinated "Taco Tuesday" campaign has been introduced urging Twin Cities residents to deliberately eat at immigrant-owned restaurants.
- Organizers say the campaign is intended to counter the business collapse experienced by immigrant-owned restaurants after recent ICE operations.
- The effort relies on social-media calls to mobilize patrons to specific sectors — in this case, restaurants — as a targeted support tactic.
- Using social media to shore up particular businesses is a growing community survival strategy amid the surge in ICE activity.
- The campaign and social-media mobilization are part of broader local responses across the Twin Cities, where leaders are speaking out on ICE.
📊 Relevant Data
Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota was initiated to apprehend criminal illegal aliens, with over 2,000 federal agents deployed for the largest immigration enforcement operation ever, targeting individuals with criminal histories including gang membership, homicide, rape, kidnapping, robbery, and assault.
2,000 federal agents sent to Minneapolis area to carry out 'largest ... — PBS NewsHour
Somali immigrants in Minnesota commit more crime than natives, with specific involvement in fraud schemes and higher violent crime rates in areas with large Somali populations, such as Bloomington having a violent crime rate 319% higher than the state average.
Yes, Somali Immigrants Commit More Crime Than Natives — City Journal
Five Venezuelan nationals with ties to the Tren de Aragua gang were indicted on federal firearm charges in Minnesota, indicating the presence and criminal activities of this Venezuelan gang in the state.
Five Defendants Indicted on Federal Firearm Charges ... — Instagram (ATF HQ)
ICE raids near schools and daycares in Minnesota have led to spikes in absenteeism, chronic fear, and trauma for both citizen and non-citizen children, with child care providers reporting that federal agents' presence makes facilities less safe.
Direct & Collateral Damage of ICE Raids on Schools and Daycare — Invisible Children
Minnesota's Somali population grew to approximately 79,449 by 2025, representing 1.4% of the state's total population, with 78.1% residing in the Twin Cities area, driven by refugee resettlement since the 1990s.
Somali population - Cultural communities — Minnesota Compass
ICE operations in Minnesota target heinous criminals, including child rapists and murderers, as part of efforts to remove criminal illegal aliens from communities.
ICE Removed Heinous Criminals from Minnesota Streets Over the ... — U.S. Department of Homeland Security
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Introduces a coordinated 'Taco Tuesday' campaign urging Twin Cities residents to deliberately eat at immigrant‑owned restaurants to counter the business collapse caused by ICE operations.
- Documents the growing tactic of using social‑media calls to shore up specific sectors — in this case, restaurants — as part of the community’s survival strategy under the surge.