Most Minnesotans say Operation Metro Surge hurt the state's economy
About 6 in 10 Minnesotans say the surge hurt the state's economy, nearly four times the share who say it helped.
Among Democrats, 87% say the impact was harmful, as do 66% of independents. Among Republicans, 44% say it helped, 19% say it had no impact, and 29% say it hurt.
A majority of Minnesotans also say immigrants are important to the state's economy.
Agent surge impact: state economy
Thinking back to last winter’s surge in federal immigration agents in Minnesota, what impact has this had on the state's economy?
Statewide
Agent surge impact: state economy| Helped a great deal | 9% |
|---|
| Helped a little | 8% |
|---|
| Had no impact | 9% |
|---|
| Hurt a little | 18% |
|---|
| Hurt a great deal | 44% |
|---|
| Not sure | 12% |
|---|
Party
Republicans| Helped a great deal | 23% |
|---|
| Helped a little | 22% |
|---|
| Had no impact | 19% |
|---|
| Hurt a little | 18% |
|---|
| Hurt a great deal | 11% |
|---|
| Not sure | 8% |
|---|
Democrats| Helped a great deal | 1% |
|---|
| Helped a little | 2% |
|---|
| Had no impact | 1% |
|---|
| Hurt a little | 17% |
|---|
| Hurt a great deal | 70% |
|---|
| Not sure | 9% |
|---|
Independents| Helped a great deal | 5% |
|---|
| Helped a little | 6% |
|---|
| Had no impact | 6% |
|---|
| Hurt a little | 19% |
|---|
| Hurt a great deal | 47% |
|---|
| Not sure | 18% |
|---|
Refused responses not shown.
Agent surge impact: tourism
What impact has last winter's surge of federal immigration agents had on the state's tourism?
Statewide
Agent surge impact: tourism| Helped a great deal | 4% |
|---|
| Helped a little | 6% |
|---|
| Had no impact | 12% |
|---|
| Hurt a little | 23% |
|---|
| Hurt a great deal | 33% |
|---|
| Not sure | 20% |
|---|
Party
Republicans| Helped a great deal | 13% |
|---|
| Helped a little | 11% |
|---|
| Had no impact | 29% |
|---|
| Hurt a little | 16% |
|---|
| Hurt a great deal | 11% |
|---|
| Not sure | 17% |
|---|
Democrats| Helped a great deal | 0% |
|---|
| Helped a little | 2% |
|---|
| Had no impact | 3% |
|---|
| Hurt a little | 25% |
|---|
| Hurt a great deal | 52% |
|---|
| Not sure | 17% |
|---|
Independents| Helped a great deal | 2% |
|---|
| Helped a little | 7% |
|---|
| Had no impact | 9% |
|---|
| Hurt a little | 24% |
|---|
| Hurt a great deal | 33% |
|---|
| Not sure | 26% |
|---|
Refused responses not shown.
Immigrants' importance to MN economy
How important are immigrants to Minnesota's economy?
Statewide
Immigrants' importance to MN economy| Very important | 38% |
|---|
| Somewhat important | 23% |
|---|
| Neither important nor unimportant | 11% |
|---|
| Not too important | 8% |
|---|
| Not at all important | 12% |
|---|
| Not sure | 7% |
|---|
Party
Republicans| Very important | 6% |
|---|
| Somewhat important | 21% |
|---|
| Neither important nor unimportant | 18% |
|---|
| Not too important | 13% |
|---|
| Not at all important | 29% |
|---|
| Not sure | 11% |
|---|
Democrats| Very important | 61% |
|---|
| Somewhat important | 27% |
|---|
| Neither important nor unimportant | 4% |
|---|
| Not too important | 4% |
|---|
| Not at all important | 1% |
|---|
| Not sure | 3% |
|---|
Independents| Very important | 39% |
|---|
| Somewhat important | 24% |
|---|
| Neither important nor unimportant | 12% |
|---|
| Not too important | 7% |
|---|
| Not at all important | 12% |
|---|
| Not sure | 5% |
|---|
Refused responses not shown.
Source: Lumaris Research, Minnesota Community Survey of 1,101 adults, May 6 to June 16, 2026.
Margin of error is ±4.43 pp at 95% confidence level. Margins are wider for subgroups.