Minneapolis Hospitality Workers Wary of ICE’s Promises to Pull Back, Union Says

In Minneapolis, thousands of hospitality workers remain deeply uneasy about the presence and activity of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, despite recent promises by federal authorities to dial back aggressive enforcement operations. The concerns, expressed by labor advocates and community organizations, reveal a gap between official assurances and the lived experiences of workers — many of whom are immigrants or have immigrant family members.

Hospitality workers, including hotel staff and food service employees, have endured months of heightened federal immigration enforcement in the Minneapolis area. Unite Here Local 17, the union representing up to 7,000 of these workers, says that many employees are still afraid to go about daily life — even after ICE pledges to focus on more limited targets.

Promises vs. Reality: Why Workers Are Still Afraid

The Biden administration — and later federal officials — said agents would concentrate on individuals with criminal records rather than broad sweeps of immigrant communities. But workers and advocates say ICE retains the legal authority to detain people without prior convictions, heightening fear among immigrant laborers and their families.

This uncertainty has a ripple effect. Some workers avoid public spaces or regular shifts because they worry about being stopped on their way to or from work. The union reports that fear has disrupted routines and contributed to significant economic effects for workers and local businesses alike.

Economic Strain on Workers and Businesses

Businesses across Minneapolis are feeling the impact of decreased foot traffic and staffing shortages. With many employees skipping shifts due to fear and some customers choosing to stay away from downtown areas, revenue losses have mounted. Estimates suggest that weekly economic activity in the city could be reduced by $10 million to $20 million because of these conditions.

In some neighborhoods, workers report that the stress of possible encounters with ICE makes normal routines — like going out for lunch or traveling to work — sources of anxiety. In sectors like hospitality, where tipped wages make up a large part of many employees’ income, missed shifts translate directly into financial hardship.

Union and Community Response

Unite Here Local 17 continues to provide support for its members, including helping with basic needs like food and rent during this period of disruption. Union leaders emphasize that the fear among workers predates the most recent pledges by ICE, driven by patterns of enforcement that many see as unpredictable and wide-ranging.

Beyond labor unions, community activism has grown in Minneapolis in response to broader ICE operations in the region. Recent nationwide attention has centered on protests and outbreaks of local resistance after the deaths of civilians during immigration enforcement actions. These events have intensified calls from community leaders for federal immigration agents to leave the city entirely, framing the presence of these agents as counterproductive to public safety and trust.

Public Safety and Tourism Concerns

The ongoing concerns extend beyond employees to the broader hospitality and tourism industry. Reports indicate that some hotels and restaurants have lost customers who choose to avoid areas where demonstrations and enforcement actions are frequent. Some establishments near federal buildings or areas of protest have seen sharp drops in reservations and foot traffic.

In one case, a hospitality venue changed its name from “Ice House” to “Winter House” during a prominent national event after intense backlash over perceived associations with immigration enforcement rhetoric. That shift reflects how deeply the issue has penetrated public sentiment and business calculations.

Looking Ahead: Trust, Policy, and Local Impact

For Minneapolis hospitality workers — many of whom are immigrants or closely connected to immigrant communities — reassurances about changes in enforcement strategy do not yet override the memories of arrests, detentions, or community anxiety. The distrust stems from past experiences and ongoing uncertainty about how enforcement teams operate in daily life.

The issue also highlights a broader challenge in federal-local relations: when national policy shifts intersect with local economies and community well-being, communication and trust become crucial. Minneapolis leaders and union representatives are urging federal authorities to not only revise tactics but to build confidence through transparency, clear guardrails, and assurances that do more than verbal commitments.

Ultimately, for workers and businesses in Minneapolis, the question isn’t just about what enforcement policies are on paper — but how those policies play out on the streets and in workplaces every day. Until fears of arbitrary detentions and workplace disruptions ease, many employees remain wary and cautious, balancing economic needs with personal safety concerns.