What it's like to be a restaurant owner in Minneapolis right now

Operation Metro Surge — that's the ICE crackdown in Minnesota — has entered its third month. The news this week is that the Trump administration is reducing the number of immigration officers in the state by about 25%, but the enforcement action continues.

We've been reporting on what this has meant for businesses big and small in the state, which are seeing disruptions to daily work. Officials in Minneapolis estimate that businesses are missing out on some $10 million to $20 million in revenue a week.

“Marketplace Morning Report” host Sabri Ben-Achour spoke with a restaurant owner who’s feeling the strain. Alex Rosario-Torres is the owner of La Bodega Taco Bar, a Mexican restaurant in Minneapolis. The following is an edited transcript of their conversation.

Sabri Ben-Achour: Can you tell us a little bit about what you have been seeing, you yourself? Has there been ICE action in the neighborhood around your restaurant?

Alex Rosario-Torres: Yes, I mean, on a constant basis even. I mean, there was one instance where an agent was just standing in front of our door for like half an hour.

Ben-Achour: So, if you have ICE agents literally on your doorstep, what has that meant for business?

Rosario-Torres: It scares people away. Some people just obviously don't want to deal with it or be put in that situation, regardless of their legal status. Some for the color of their skin, and some just don't support it.

Ben-Achour: Yeah. Has this affected sales?

Rosario-Torres: Yes, it has. Tremendously. I would say more than half, more than 50% of our business.

Ben-Achour: Oh, wow. That is a lot! I was gonna ask, on the other side of business, are your employees — have they continued to come in and feel comfortable enough to show up to work?

Rosario-Torres: We have a team of about six, and only about two right now come in.

Ben-Achour: How do you run a restaurant with just two people?

Rosario-Torres: It is really tough, you know? Obviously, like I said, we had to make some adjustments, as far as, take-out only right now, to-go orders. So, it definitely puts a strain on all of us, just because we still have to prepare food. We still have to get inventory. I, myself, have to be there to open and close the doors the whole time.

Ben-Achour: Border czar Tom Homan reduced the number of federal agents in Minnesota by 700, he said. What do you think of that?

Rosario-Torres: I mean, I think it's a good step forward. But I still think people are still in fear. I mean, I still have constantly, every day, calls with my employees, and some are still scared. Some haven't gone out of the house. The employees that do work, I have to take them to and from the work. They don't want to drive. Even people with status — I'm a U.S. citizen, and I have to carry a passport around. My parents are telling me, “Make sure you have your passport.” Never in my 32 years of life have I ever had to carry my passport to prove I'm from here.

Ben-Achour: How do you keep going? Like, can you continue to operate as a restaurant if you only have a fraction of your workforce that's not too terrified to show up?

Rosario-Torres: That's what we're trying to figure out on a day-by-day basis. It's tough because, like I said, just barely have enough to pay my employees. I follow up with them every day. “How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Let me know when you're ready to come to work. We're here.” And somebody's like, “Oh, maybe next week, or we'll take it day by day.” You have to respect and understand it.