Twin Cities doctors say ICE surge is driving patients from hospitals and clinics
Twin Cities doctors say a surge in ICE activity — including visible raids tied to Operation Metro Surge and the law‑enforcement response after the killing of Renee Good — is driving immigrant and mixed‑status families to avoid or delay emergency and routine care, even when seriously ill. Clinicians report patients sometimes discharge themselves early or refuse to give accurate registration information out of fear, which complicates diagnosis, follow‑up and continuity of care and, hospital leaders warn, could undermine public health and lead to preventable deaths.
📌 Key Facts
- Doctors and ER staff in the Twin Cities report that visible ICE presence and raids are causing some immigrant and mixed‑status families to avoid or delay emergency and routine medical care, even when seriously ill.
- Clinicians say patients are discharging themselves early from hospitals and clinics out of fear of ICE contact.
- Some patients are refusing to provide accurate information at registration because they fear it could be shared with ICE.
- These behaviors — avoiding care, early self‑discharge, and withholding information — complicate diagnosis, follow‑up and continuity of care.
- Hospital leaders and physicians explicitly link the change in patient behavior to Operation Metro Surge and the killing of Renee Good, warning the crackdown is undermining public‑health efforts and could lead to preventable deaths in the Twin Cities.
📊 Relevant Data
Operation Metro Surge, initiated in December 2025, has resulted in over 3,000 arrests of individuals described as criminal illegal aliens in the Minneapolis area by DHS and ICE.
ICE Continues to Remove the Worst of the Worst from Minneapolis Streets as DHS Law Enforcement Marks 3,000 Arrests During Operation Metro Surge — Department of Homeland Security
Minnesota has the largest Somali immigrant population in the United States, with estimates of around 80,000 to 100,000 Somalis living in the state, representing about 1.4% to 1.8% of Minnesota's total population of 5.7 million.
How Minnesota became a hub for Somali immigrants in the U.S. — NPR
Per capita crime rates among Somali immigrants in Minnesota are estimated to be two to five times higher than those of native-born Minnesotans, based on adjusted comparisons accounting for demographic factors.
Yes, Somali Immigrants Commit More Crime Than Natives — City Journal
Somali Minnesotans contribute approximately $8 billion to the state's economy through total economic activity, including business ownership and tax payments of about $67 million annually.
Economist: Immigrants contribute $26 billion to Minnesota's economy — MPR News
Immigration enforcement actions like ICE surges have led to decreased healthcare utilization among immigrant communities in Minnesota, with reports of patients delaying or forgoing medical care due to fear, exacerbating public health issues.
Minnesota residents delay medical care for fear of encountering ICE — CIDRAP
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- Doctors and ER staff report some immigrant and mixed‑status families are avoiding or delaying emergency and routine care specifically because of visible ICE presence and raids, even when they are seriously ill.
- Clinicians describe patients discharging themselves early or refusing to give accurate information at registration out of fear it could be shared with ICE, which complicates diagnosis, follow‑up and continuity of care.
- Hospital leaders and physicians explicitly tie these behaviors to Operation Metro Surge and the Renee Good killing, saying the crackdown is undermining public‑health efforts and could lead to preventable deaths in the Twin Cities.