The Trump administration announced on February 12, 2026 that it’s Ending Operation Metro Surgehe deployed greater than 3,000 federal immigration enforcement agents to Minneapolis, St. Paul and the encircling metro area. Federal officials say some agents will remain. within the region and has vowed that similar immigration sweeps are coming soon to other US cities.
As Public health researchers who’re documenting. Health Effects of Immigration Enforcement For greater than 10 years, we now have viewed immigration as a public health emergency.
Even before the Trump administration’s recent expansion of immigration enforcement, research has long shown that tougher immigration enforcement actions backfire. People’s use of health careaccessibility Resources for staying healthyand their Mental health And Social relations. Notably, all of those findings predate the Trump administration’s recent expansion of immigration enforcement. It is cheap to assume that the impact of those current actions shall be even greater.
To some extent – especially in Minneapolis, where mutual aid networks are particularly strong – community response can mitigate a few of these impacts. One of us (Nicole), as a resident of Minneapolis, witnessed each the unfolding crisis and a robust community-driven public health response.
But these public health losses will take months or years to reverse, they usually provide a disturbing preview of what could occur in other cities.
Access to health care
One of essentially the most immediate public health effects of strict immigration enforcement is that it makes people reluctant to hunt health care, especially in the event that they belong to a nationality or ethnic group that’s being targeted for immigration arrests. For example, studies of Hispanic adults show that they’re less likely. Get an annual checkup. Or see your doctor. If they are US citizens. – If they live in an area with more strict immigration enforcement.
Research has also proven this. Declining Medicaid Enrollment When federal immigration enforcement increases, even amongst eligible U.S. residents.
There is little doubt that Operation MetroSurge has prevented immigrant patients and their families from accessing medical care in Minnesota. According to a family medicine doctor, there are primary care visits. Down more than 50 percent. Doctors and health care employees are reporting that patients are Delayed essential carepotentially worsening chronic conditions, corresponding to diabetes. Others report that there are pregnant women. Missing prenatal visits And there are Application for home birtheven in cases where their health condition would normally require a hospital birth.
Access to food and shelter
Immigration crackdowns also affect public health by limiting people’s access to the resources they should stay healthy.
For example, income and employment are necessary predictors of health. But research suggests this. Decrease in overall employment and hourly wages In counties that begin to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement — partly because people spend less money at stores, restaurants and other local businesses.
This trend is playing out in Minneapolis and St. Paul, where Thousands of migrant families are living in homes. To avoid encounters with immigration enforcement. In January 2026, immigrant-owned businesses reported a decrease in traffic. 80% temporarily closed in some neighborhoods.
Many of essentially the most cost-effective, hard-won public health programs, e.g Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programor SNAP, and Women, infants and children The nutrition program is designed to preserve people’s health even in times of economic scarcity. But Declining enrollment in these programs when Fears of immigration enforcement are intensifying.. The same is true for housing, one other foundation of public health. Research shows that Eviction, foreclosure of rent or mortgage paymentsand Draw rate When the immigration crackdown escalates.
It’s too early to know the impact on evictions in Minneapolis, but early reports from tenant advocacy organizations indicate that they’ve 82% increase in support requests Compared to early 2025.
Stress, hypervigilance and mental health
One of essentially the most damaging and long-lasting effects of immigration enforcement is the impact on mental health. Our research and that of others suggests that People who face or You have to protect yourself From immigration officials – living in to avoid immigration officials, seeing immigration officials in your neighborhood, knowing someone who has been deported or being deported yourself – increased risk of psychological distress or poor overall health.
Especially for kids who’ve witnessed or experienced the arrest, detention, or deportation of a member of the family, these effects could be severe, including short-term separation anxiety and behavioral problems, in addition to long-term risks of tension and depression.
Perhaps most painful, experiencing family separation, missing work or avoiding public space Leaves people socially isolated.This leads to reduced emotional resources to address these stressors and health risks.
In Minnesota, many immigrant families usually are not only experiencing the social isolation of being home from school and work, but additionally avoiding places that provide comfort and support, corresponding to places of worship. Church attendance is Reportedly dropped by half In some gatherings, and Attendance at the mosque may decrease. too
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How communities are responding.
Amid these challenges, on a regular basis Minnesotans — health care employees, neighbors, faith communities — have taken steps to fill the gaps.
Trusted neighborhood and community organizations make sure that persons are traveling to see doctors. Some health care providers are expanding Telehealth and home visits To make sure that patients receive the care they need. There are healthcare staff and unions. Putting pressure on hospitals and health systems To implement policies that limit ICE access to patient areas.
Meanwhile, community members are providing food and necessities to those that are displaced or have lost income. Mutual aid campaigns raise money to assist rent, organizers successfully campaign for city of Minneapolis Expand rental assistance.and greater than 60 local organizations are petitioning the governor to enact a law. Statewide eviction moratorium.
Mental health stress and social isolation are tougher to handle, but somewhat endemic Mental health providers are expanding their reach.While teachers, neighbors and folks of religion try to take care of contact with those in search of shelter at home.
This far-reaching response echoes what we now have observed in our research with other communities which have experienced immigration raids: abnormal people. Immigrant families are at the forefront.essentially making a casual initiation Disaster responseproviding shelter and resources.
Public health research has long shown this. Connected communities are healthy communitiesand these relationships play a crucial role in long-term recovery from public health crises.
But immigration court cases drag on for months and years, as do long-term mental health effects. Broken trust with government takes time to rebuild. This signifies that as ICE Expands its presence across the US.the The result may be over For a protracted time to come back.