MINNEAPOLIS — In a haunting silence within Karmel Mall, a significant hub for the Somali community situated in South Minneapolis, many businesses stand shut, evoking a sense of despair and unease. The mall, which hosts over a hundred small enterprises ranging from garment shops to accounting services, remains eerily quiet, with whispers of worry echoing off its walls.
Shoppers who once filled the hallways are now a rare sight. The happenings of the past few weeks—the fear of federal immigration agents—have kept many vendors, including Abdi Wahid at his mother’s convenience store, waiting in vain for customers. “It’s been like this for three weeks now,” he lamented, noting that afternoons that typically attracted 15 to 20 customers now often see no shoppers at all.
Despite being a U.S. citizen, Wahid articulates the anxiety that weighs on all community members. Citizens and noncitizens alike share the same fear of deportation and racial targeting, particularly following a recent immigration crackdown criticized for unjustly criminalizing an entire community.
Operating in a predominantly immigrant neighborhood, the stark ramifications of the Trump administration’s “Operation Metro Surge” are deeply felt. There’s a broader impact on immigrant populations who, disheartened by the threat of enforcement, hesitate to conduct business or even leave their homes.
Bashir Garad, who manages Safari Travel & Accounting Services, confirms that his clients are withdrawing from their planned trips due to fears regarding re-entry into the country. “They see a lot of unlawful things going on in the city,” Garad stated, referring to the political climate that has left many uneasy. “If there’s a criminal, there are ways to find the criminal, but to marginalize the community’s name, that is unlawful.”
Like many others, Ibrahim Dahiye, an electronics vendor, finds himself in dire straits as his business has plummeted monthly income by approximately $20,000, forcing him to consider pooling his finances merely to afford rent. He keeps his passport on him constantly—a sign of the continuous concern that pervades his daily operations.
The ambiance within Karmel Mall and surrounding businesses encapsulates a broader narrative of fear and resilience as community members strive to navigate these turbulent times.
