The Taste of East African in Minneapolis finds itself playing a crucial role as a beacon of support amidst a federal immigration enforcement surge, with only the manager and owner remaining to serve customers unfamiliar with the cuisine. Many regular patrons are staying away due to fear related to increased immigration actions in areas with high immigrant populations.
Both the staff and customers exhibit reluctance to engage with local businesses as fear proliferates within communities. Hibaq Nimale, the restaurant's manager and a U.S. citizen who arrived as a refugee from Somalia, expressed the anxiety surrounding ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) actions, stating, Even if you tell ICE you’re a citizen they won’t listen, so everyone is scared.
The ramifications of these policies are evident across Minneapolis, with President Trump’s immigration sweeps resulting in a significant decline in sales and foot traffic for various businesses. Strikingly, some have reported sales drops as much as 80% and an increased number of event cancellations.
With protests against immigration enforcement actions targeting businesses, impacts stretch to hotels and retail chains that have also chosen to limit operations. Target Corp., a Minneapolis-based company, has experienced protests urging it to take a firmer stance against federal law enforcement activities.
Legal protections remain vital in this context, as businesses are reminded of their rights regarding immigration enforcement in their premises. Amidst this turbulent landscape, the Taste of East African has found some solace from non-immigrant customers stepping in to help maintain business, though the owner worries this support may not last long.
"timestamp": "2023-10-12T14:30:00Z"
