Over the past week, El Burrito Mercado, a well-established Mexican supermarket and eatery in St. Paul, Minnesota, has experienced an unprecedented downturn. Known for its long-standing presence in the community, this 47-year-old business has recently been encircled by unmarked federal immigration vehicles and agents, generating an atmosphere of apprehension among patrons and employees alike.
Melissa Silvia-Diaz, CEO of El Burrito Mercado, described the situation during a Tuesday afternoon phone interview. She explained that customers are refraining from visiting the store, and staff absenteeism has led to early closures. "ICE is using my business as a hunting ground," Silvia-Diaz remarked. "They’re circling the block waiting for people." Such activity has cast a shadow over the once-thriving enterprise.
The federal immigration enforcement campaign, launched under the Trump administration, has mobilized thousands of agents to target the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. According to the Department of Homeland Security, this has culminated in over 2,000 arrests. The widespread presence of immigration agents has deterred both legal and undocumented immigrants from public engagement, suppressing consumer activity and business operations in one of the nation’s 16th largest metropolitan economies.
Businesses are reporting dramatic impacts reminiscent of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Numerous storefronts have reduced operating hours, and typically bustling shopping districts now remain conspicuously barren. This heightened volatility has left many owners uncertain about sustainable responses.
The situation escalated following the tragic death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, at the hands of an ICE agent last week. This incident prompted the temporary closure of many businesses, the postponement of a three-night engagement by comedian John Mulaney, and the cancellation of planned arts and Pride events scheduled for the weekend.
At El Burrito Mercado, business hours were reduced to just four on the Wednesday following these events. Silvia-Diaz lamented the untenable situation, stating, "This is not sustainable. It makes you wonder — how do we survive this?" In response to the enforcement actions, the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota filed a lawsuit against the federal government, highlighting the steep economic consequences.
The legal complaint notes reports from businesses that sales have plummeted by 50% to 80%, and emphasizes potential declines in tax revenue as a consequence of the crackdown. Other major urban centers such as Chicago and Los Angeles have also experienced similar economic disturbances attributed to the federal mass deportation initiatives.
Addressing the criticism, the White House asserted that the operation’s goal was the removal of dangerous criminal undocumented immigrants to enhance community safety. They argued that fostering safer environments would ultimately support long-term business vitality and customer confidence.
Silvia-Diaz’s family roots are deeply tied to El Burrito Mercado, which has expanded over the years to encompass a food truck, catering services, and the sale of imported Mexican gifts and home décor. The business’s recognition reached a new height in 2024 when it secured a competitive vendor spot at the Minnesota State Fair.
Located in St. Paul’s West Side within the District del Sol, the business operates at the heart of a vibrant Mexican-American commercial corridor. Historically, the neighborhood became home to Mexican migrant workers during the mid-20th century who found employment in meatpacking plants and railroad lines. This led to the establishment of Spanish-language institutions and businesses, contributing to a strong cultural fabric. The Mexican government recognized the significance of the area by opening a consulate in 2005. Presently, over 30% of the local population identifies as Latino.
El Burrito Mercado experienced a decline in sales starting last year amid immigration enforcement surges in Chicago, but the arrival of federal agents in the Twin Cities last month triggered a much sharper drop-off. Silvia-Diaz noted that her core clientele and employee base, predominantly Latino, have largely ceased visiting or working at the establishment. The remaining customers primarily consist of White residents. The intensity of the situation unsettled her to the point that she now carries her passport routinely to avoid complications if stopped by immigration officers.
Silvia-Diaz stressed the economic and social importance of immigrant-run businesses, stating, "This country is built on immigrant businesses. We employ people and inject money into these neighborhoods. You wipe them out and then what?" Similar sentiments were echoed by Miguel Lopez, proprietor of Homi, a Mexican restaurant also situated in St. Paul. Lopez and his wife, both Mexican-born, founded their establishment in 2009 but transitioned recently to a pickup-only model to minimize exposure. "I don’t feel safe either in my house or my business," Lopez said. "I’m not going to put my employees or myself in that position."
Target, the Minneapolis-based retail giant with approximately 50 stores across the metropolitan area, has unexpectedly become a focal point of immigration enforcement activity. In recent instances, U.S. Border Patrol agents, including commander Gregory Bovino, conducted visible patrols inside stores such as one in St. Paul, with immigration arrests also occurring at another location in Richfield. A video released shows one Target employee, who repeatedly asserted U.S. citizenship, being taken into custody. Officials stated he was arrested on charges of assaulting federal law enforcement officers.
Some local authorities have called upon Target to safeguard its workforce and customers from encroaching immigration enforcement actions. However, to date, most large companies impacted have refrained from public commentary, possibly to avoid political repercussions. Target’s chief human resources officer issued an internal memo referring to the situation as local events that are rapidly evolving. The memo reassured employees of the company’s attention to safety and legal compliance but stopped short of direct criticism or support of enforcement activities. Target declined to comment further in response to media inquiries.
Minnesota’s economy, like many across the United States, increasingly relies on immigrant labor and entrepreneurship. State officials are concerned that sustained immigration enforcement could hamper long-term economic expansion and exacerbate existing workforce challenges. According to last year’s Minnesota Chamber of Commerce report, the state confronts a deceleration in population growth attributable to an aging demographic, lower birth rates, and decreased domestic migration.
The report highlighted a notable imbalance in job availability, with nearly two vacancies for every job seeker, underscoring the critical role immigrants play in addressing labor shortages. It further characterized immigration as an essential component of Minnesota’s economic prosperity in the current decade.
Minnesota is home to a diversified economy encompassing major corporations such as 3M, General Mills, and Best Buy, as well as the acclaimed Mayo Clinic headquartered in Rochester. The state’s net population growth between 2020 and 2024 is overwhelmingly driven by immigration, accounting for 94% of the increase. The foreign-born workforce has expanded 41% since 2010, sharply outpacing the 4% growth rate of native-born workers.
Mike Logan, CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, expressed a broader apprehension about the situation's repercussions on the ability to attract and retain talent in the state’s economy. "For the sake of the economy, businesses, and the community, the sooner this can come to a civil conclusion the better," he urged.