In response to escalating tensions over federal immigration enforcement actions, leaders from Minnesota’s business community have issued a public call for de-escalation. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce published an open letter signed by 64 organizations on January 15, 2024, one day after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and Veterans Administration nurse, by federal agents in Minneapolis.
The letter urges state, local, and federal officials to collaborate on finding effective solutions to the ongoing crisis. The business leaders emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, “With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate de-escalation of tensions.” They highlighted the disruption caused by the influx of approximately 3,000 federal agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Minnesota.
Community Response and Political Reactions
The presence of federal agents has dramatically affected daily life across Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding suburbs. Since January 7, multiple shootings involving federal agents have occurred, contributing to heightened fear and unrest in the community. In addition to the death of Pretti, other incidents include the shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant during an enforcement action and the tragic death of Renee Good, a mother and citizen.
Minnesota’s political leaders, including Governor Tim Walz and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, have been vocal in their criticism of the federal government’s tactics. They have urged President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to withdraw the additional agents deployed to the state. In contrast, business leaders have adopted a more moderate approach, seeking constructive dialogue rather than outright condemnation.
Doug Loon, president and CEO of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, stated, “Our goal is clear: to help engage federal and Minnesota public officials [to] de-escalate the current situation and put our communities and economy back on track.” His remarks came after a meeting with Vice President JD Vance, who was visiting the Twin Cities at the time.
On January 19, thousands of Minnesotans protested against the aggressive tactics used by federal agents, braving sub-zero temperatures to voice their concerns. The demonstrators criticized the actions of ICE and CBP agents, who have reportedly clashed with citizens and arrested individuals with valid immigration status.
Calls for Leadership and Civic Engagement
As tensions rise, calls for leadership from both business and civic figures have emerged. Former Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson suggested that non-political leaders, including former Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz and Hormel’s interim CEO Jeff Ettinger, should facilitate discussions aimed at de-escalation. Carlson expressed concern over the potential for further conflict, stating, “I don’t want to risk Trump invoking the Insurrection Act and sending federal troops to Minnesota.”
In the wake of the open letter, Bill George, a former CEO of Medtronic and an executive fellow at Harvard Business School, has advocated for business leaders to take a more vocal stance regarding the implications of federal immigration operations on their workforce and communities. He lamented the silence from many executives, noting, “It is disappointing to me that we don’t hear their voices. They’re charged with the safety, security, and well-being of their employees.”
In a related commentary, Robert Rubin, former U.S. Treasury Secretary, urged business leaders across all sectors to critically assess the implications of current government actions. He posed three pivotal questions regarding the boundaries of acceptable governance, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement in the face of potential authoritarianism.
The open letter from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce concludes with a plea for unity and cooperation among leaders at all levels, stating, “In this difficult moment for our community, we call for peace and focused cooperation among local, state, and federal leaders to achieve a swift and durable solution that enables families, businesses, our employees, and communities across Minnesota to resume our work to build a bright and prosperous future.”
As the situation continues to unfold, the collective efforts of Minnesota’s business leaders may play a crucial role in shaping the discourse surrounding immigration policy and community safety in the state.
