Frey calls on feds, state to help pay ICE surge costs in Minneapolis
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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Friday estimated the financial and economic cost to the city from the surge of federal immigration agents to be at least $203 million and said he’ll ask state and federal authorities to help foot the bill.
Officials said that figure represented the costs of only about a month of the surge. They said the estimate includes losses to the economy and local businesses as well as the costs of helping people in need of food and housing.
Frey estimated at least 76,000 residents are in need of some kind of relief.
He called on the federal government to provide direct financial aid to stabilize the city’s finances and business community, and to help residents recover. He said he would also ask the Minnesota Legislature for aid.
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“I’m not naive to think that we’re going to get the entire amount” from the state and the federal government, but Minneapolis should not have to bear the costs alone, he added.
Officials made it clear they are concerned about the financial burden falling heavily on Minneapolis taxpayers. The city has spent some $6 million during the surge on extra staff time, street cleanups and other costs, said Margaret Anderson Kelliher, the city’s chief operations officer.
It’s created a “significant financial challenge,” she added. “This city’s very financial stability has been called into question because of the actions of our own federal government.”
The city’s cost estimates include:
$47 million in “lost wages for people afraid to leave home and go to work{
$81 million in restaurant and small business revenue losses
$4.7 million in revenue from hotel cancellations extending through summer
The city said residents’ needs include $15.7 million in additional assistance for some 35,000 low-income renters who saw their household incomes fall during the surge and may face eviction. Food support costs for residents were estimated at $2.4 million weekly.
The city added that nearly 9,000 school-age children were in need of mental health and other services stemming from the federal agent crackdown.
Beyond seeking the state and federal help, Frey called on people to patronize Minneapolis eateries, hotel and cultural events. City officials said people can also use the city federal response page to donate directly to foundations and nonprofits helping to provide food, rental assistance and other help.
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