Opinion | Beyond the quantifiable, the other immeasurable damages left by ICE

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In welcome news I’ll believe when it comes to actual fruition, ICE is apparently leaving Minnesota — or at least the surge is ending. But what about the damage left behind?

The economic impact of Operation Metro Surge has been real, tangible and with each passing week, terrifyingly and depressingly quantifiable. But what about the losses that are harder to put into digestible, sound-bitable numbers? What’s been lost is not only quantitative but also qualitative — a quality of life that has made Minnesota a northern oasis for many looking to build a better life.

I moved to Minnesota 23 years ago from sunny California. Along with the excitement I had as a young person on a new adventure, I did have a few concerns. Yes, of course, the winter — I had been warned. But what about the changes in my day to day? Rent was cheaper, but could I buy everything I needed to make a good curry?

Upon moving to northeast Minneapolis, I found all the things I needed and more, all within walking distance along Central Avenue. Fenugreek, rice sticks and tamarind were easily found at a nearby Indian international market. Dal close in flavor and texture to my own family’s from a Pakistani restaurant. But more importantly, I gradually met my people. These included other artists, Minnesota transplants, refugees, immigrants and children of immigrants — all part of a more diverse and welcoming community than any coastal stereotype of the Midwest would lead you to believe.

Finding my people also led me to my career path: working in creative and cultural districts. Starting with the arts district in Northeast and stretching outward to the cultural districts of Minneapolis and St. Paul, I’ve been fortunate to carve out a career in support of the small businesses, artists and culture-bearers that are the bedrock of the places we love to go. A child of immigrants myself, I suppose it’s no wonder I found my connections among these special spaces.

The people and places that make these neighborhoods special can also make them more resilient. Locally rooted, community-connected, culturally relevant. And because the nonprofit sector loves a good study, we now have data that helps us quantify that: If a restaurant has those features, it’s more likely to do well, long-term.

With Operation Metro Surge, we have seen devastating economic impacts to the creative and cultural districts. And while we can estimate the dollars lost, what about the threads that stitch us together? Running into friends or family at a store or the grocery store, meeting up to attend a festival or show — all have been off the table for many who have been justifiably hesitant to leave their houses. These losses are much harder to quantify, but no less real. The attacks on community members have reached far beyond the supposed “worst of the worst” they said they are targeting but demonstrably are not. When will immigrants feel safe enough again to fully return to public life?

This has been an attack on families.

This has been an attack on actual safety.

And with the outsized impact on our commercial corridors, it has been an attack on the very tapestry that makes Minnesota a wonderful place to live.

I know the threads that stitch our community together are strong and that Minnesotans are creative and imaginative, but mutual aid can only stretch so far. What’s additionally maddening to me is that all this damage could have been avoided — millions of dollars spent on targeted immigration raids so that millions of dollars could be lost. An economic lose-lose that’s cost lives, shattered communities and burdened an already overburdened court system.

The neighborly networks across Minnesota supporting us through this time have been strong. My hope is that they outlast this moment and can be put to continued good use within our communities. I’m also concerned about our corridors long-term, and the small businesses and arts and cultural districts that make them special. They’ve survived light rail construction, COVID and now this. Without broader relief packages, American Rescue Plan Act-level funding and sizable forgivable loans, will they survive this moment?

Imagine if all that money spent on ICE was spent on other things instead. To build up our schools, which are operating with a deficit and might be additionally burdened due to the impacts on school attendance. On homeownership and stability programs, which have been proven to build wealth and nurture safer communities. To support the small businesses — the economic backbones within our communities — that have been devastated by the presence of ICE. To fund events and activities in our commercial corridors including public art and arts programming, which boost both the economy and safety.

Though many ICE agents are preparing to leave Minnesota, we know they are increasing forces elsewhere, their expansion outpacing their own accountability. Only days ago, a spokesperson for ICE told a U.S. House committee they are “just getting started.”

Enough is enough. Defund these relentless occupations! Our tax dollars are more wisely spent on the things that build communities up, not tear them apart.