Businesses Face Economic Fallout as ICE Protests Grow, Minnesota Business Leaders Call for De-Escalation
More than 60 chief executives of Minnesota-based companies, including Target, Best Buy and UnitedHealth Group, issued a joint letter Sunday urging state, local and federal leaders to de-escalate tensions following two fatal shootings by federal agents during a sweeping immigration enforcement operation that has sparked days of protests across the state.
The open letter, posted on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce website, calls on officials at all levels of government to work together as businesses grapple with growing unrest tied to the federal crackdown.
“With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,” the letter states.
Among the signatories were 3M CEO William Brown, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry, General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening, Target incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke and UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Helmsley, along with dozens of other corporate leaders whose companies employ tens of thousands of workers across the state.
The letter marks one of the first coordinated public responses from Minnesota’s largest employers since federal immigration agents launched the enforcement surge earlier this month. Until now, many major companies had avoided commenting publicly on the operation or the protests that followed.
That silence has become increasingly difficult to maintain. Over the past two weeks, protesters have targeted businesses they believe have not taken a strong enough stand against federal law enforcement activity. Minneapolis-based Target has been among those facing demonstrations. Earlier this month, a Minnesota hotel drew national attention after refusing to allow federal immigration agents to stay on its property, then later apologized, saying the decision violated company policy after an online backlash.
State officials say the unrest is already having severe economic consequences. Minnesota and the Twin Cities filed a lawsuit this month asking a federal judge to halt the immigration operations, citing what they described as devastating impacts on local businesses. According to the lawsuit, some companies have reported sales declines of up to 80% since the enforcement actions began.
“In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution,” the CEOs wrote, “one that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future.”
