The business response to ICE

Chad Kulas

Beginning in November, the Midway Chamber made its first official statement in support of immigrants and in opposition to the aggressive forces used by ICE. Sadly, we have felt compelled to repeat ourselves many times including twice after people lost their lives.

This is not a political issue; it’s a moral issue.

Operation Metro Surge must end, plain and simple. Does anyone feel safer? Businesses I talk to sure don’t. Whether they are afraid for their own safety, their employees or customers, this endeavor has been bad for business. Had this been a political issue, we would debate the actual policies around immigration. However, when enforcement has meant harassment toward innocent people numerous times and even detainments before a person can prove their citizenship, this is an invasion by our own government.

As I think about how to frame this for businesses and other employers, many ideas come to mind. Here are the big themes they can use and individuals can too.

Show your support for immigrants
Immigrants are an extremely important part of the Minnesota economy. Immigrants start businesses. The Main Streets throughout America would be dying if not for immigrants. According to the American Immigration Council, immigrants make up about 8.4 percent of Minnesota’s residents, with another 5.3 percent having at least one immigrant parent. They also account for 10.8 percent of our labor force, 14.5 percent of STEM workers, 15.7 percent of manufacturing workforce and 9.9 percent of our entrepreneurs.

Check in on people
If you’ve thought about an immigrant you know, or maybe someone with a darker complexion, and wondered how they’re doing… ask them. It doesn’t take long and can mean a lot to them. You will also probably learn a few things, including how easy you’ve had it and what you take for granted if you aren’t getting harassed. I have casually asked people and found out they have been stopped by ICE.

Be visible and speak out
There are several protests happening in every community, whether a well-organized event with hundreds to thousands of people or one with fewer than ten people. I was heartened to see protests happening on street corners in places like Prior Lake and Hastings recently. If protesting isn’t your thing or conducive to your life, consider posting comments in support of immigrants on social media. You may not think these comments change opinion, but they show a broader support for issues and people take note when the non-usual suspects weigh in.

Donate and volunteer
There are several ways to help out. Nonprofits are accepting food donations and looking for drivers to deliver groceries. Many schools are looking for this help, including here in the Midway. An easy way to build community at your workplace is to host a food/supplies drive.

Officially call for Operation Metro Surge to end
Not only is this the morally right thing to say, polls suggest it would not be bad for business. Several polls conducted in January have shown dramatic drops in support for ICE. In a New York Times/Siena poll from Jan. 12-17, 61 percent of Americans believe the ICE tactics have “gone too far.” Notably, this was before the murder of Alex Pretti and was conducted throughout the U.S.; a similar poll in Minnesota today would most likely see even larger numbers in opposition to ICE.

While I have not been optimistic during this time, I do believe one day we will hear the news that the Operation is over and all ICE and Border Patrol agents will leave. Once that happens, our community will rejoice as we pick up the pieces. We will look back on this time with much grief, but we can find comfort in the strong support of so many in our community as we came together. For many of us, we maybe have never felt so proud to be a Minnesotan.