MINNEAPOLIS — A once-thriving economic hub, Karmel Mall in Minneapolis, home to numerous Somali-owned businesses, is now a quiet shadow of its former self as a crackdown on immigration creates widespread fear among shoppers and vendors alike.
Located in the heart of the Somali community, Karmel Mall hosts over a hundred small businesses offering diverse products and services. However, its corridors have recently turned eerily silent. Traditional sounds of chatter and bustling customers have been replaced by apprehensive whispers as the threat of immigration raids looms large.
“It’s been like this for three weeks now,” said Abdi Wahid, an employee at his mom’s store. “Before, we used to get 15 to 20 customers every afternoon; now, it’s tough to get even one.”
Business owners report drastic declines in sales; many shops have chosen not to open at all due to the absence of customers, many of whom are hesitant to venture out for fear of arrest. This fear has transcended the immigrant population to affect citizens as well, especially following recent high-profile incidents associated with immigration enforcement.
“The government is not doing the right thing,” noted Bashir Garad, who runs a travel agency. His clientele, mainly East African and almost all U.S. citizens, have canceled trips, fearing they won't be allowed re-entry into the country upon return.
The impact of Trump's administration's immigration policies has cast a long shadow over this community. Many residents express their frustration over feeling targeted and marginalized, calling for a more humane approach to policing and enforcement that distinguishes between criminals and law-abiding citizens.
“We believe in Allah, but we can’t do anything,” lamented Ibrahim Dahiye, a local electronics seller, as he showcased his dwindling shop filled with unsold goods.
As Karmel Mall stands at this critical juncture, business owners hope for a shift in public perception and policy that can restore their livelihoods and revitalize their community.
