Story perspectives

Walz: Federal Immigration Crackdown Hurts Minnesota Communities

2/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expects the federal immigration crackdown to end imminently after talks with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.
Walz calls the operation an "occupation" and a "retribution campaign."
Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek says local restaurants suffer as customers and workers hesitate to engage.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty says a courthouse Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest raises concerns about racial profiling and justice administration.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 3, abolished national origin quotas that had favored Northern and Western Europeans since the 1920s. This landmark legislation allowed over 1 million immigrants from Asia and Latin America to enter the U.S. annually, reshaping demographics and influencing ongoing debates about immigration policy and local economies, particularly in Minnesota's restaurant sector.

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Story summary

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expects the federal immigration crackdown to end imminently after talks with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.
Walz calls the operation an "occupation" and a "retribution campaign."
Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek says local restaurants suffer as customers and workers hesitate to engage.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty says a courthouse Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest raises concerns about racial profiling and justice administration.

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