A climate of fear stemming from increased immigration enforcement in Minnesota is creating a public health crisis, with residents delaying or foregoing necessary medical care, and mental health deteriorating across communities. Despite a recent, limited drawdown of federal immigration enforcement agents, the pervasive anxiety remains, impacting access to basic necessities and essential healthcare.
The federal crackdown, known as Operation Metro Surge, has prompted families to avoid public spaces, including medical facilities, fearing arrest. Viviana Salazar, a volunteer at a Minneapolis food pantry, describes a new reality of delivering groceries to families too afraid to shop for themselves. “I received a message from a teacher saying, my student had a glass of water for dinner,” Salazar shared. “So that to me was heartbreaking.”
The fear extends beyond food insecurity. One 45-year-old father, remaining anonymous, has been in hiding for over two months, describing the psychological toll of constant anxiety. “The most difficult thing is knowing what’s happening and not being able to go out, locked in with fear that they come knock on your door. Because of the fear and the worry, I cry. It’s the most heartbreaking thing to think about. If you leave, you might not be able to come back,” he stated through an interpreter.
Healthcare providers are witnessing a direct correlation between the increased enforcement and declining patient numbers. Dr. Roli Dwivedi, with the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, noted a level of chaos and fear in healthcare that she has not seen in her 19 years of practice in the state. Emergency room visits at Children’s Minnesota are down almost 25 percent, yet when children do present, their conditions are often more severe.
Dr. Bryan Fate, a pediatrician at Children’s Minnesota, described a recent case of a five-year-old girl who suffered a ruptured eardrum after delaying medical attention for seven days due to fear. He also cited cases of delayed treatment for appendicitis, severe asthma exacerbations, and a 15-year-old with autism who had only eaten three meals in five days because his mother had been detained. “This is not a virus causing this. It is an action of the government, which can be redacted,” Dr. Fate emphasized. “And I think there is a feeling of helplessness there too.”
The situation echoes the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, with families delaying preventative care and routine checkups. Dr. Fate noted that, unlike a viral outbreak, this crisis is driven by policy and is therefore potentially reversible. However, the consequences of delayed care are already manifesting as more serious illnesses requiring hospitalization.
The impact isn’t limited to physical health. Mental health professionals are reporting a surge in anxiety, fear, and trauma among immigrant communities. Valerie Carrillo, a therapist at Canopy Mental Health & Consulting, describes her clients as “hypervigilant” and experiencing a loss of safety. “Clients of immigrant descent are very hypervigilant right now and are taking a toll from everything that’s happening and are on a daily stress-out. I have seen those clients physically in my sessions come in crying and shaking and going through the emotions of having that safety kind of pulled underneath from them,” she said.
Carrillo, herself of Mexican descent, carries her passport with her, reflecting the pervasive sense of vulnerability. She describes the situation as creating “collective trauma,” impacting both her clients and herself.
The fear extends beyond those directly targeted by enforcement. Autumn Brown, a Minneapolis resident, expressed concern for her teenage daughter, who has dark skin and black hair. “She has asked me: ‘What am I going to do if they pull me over? Are they going to shoot me?’ And when she asked me that question, my heart just broke. I can’t believe we’re living in this situation.”
Reports also indicate that federal agents have been present in healthcare facilities, raising further concerns among patients and staff. There have been instances of agents attempting to question or arrest patients while they are receiving medical care, and nonwhite hospital staff have expressed fear for their safety while commuting to and from work. The Department of Homeland Security has offered limited response to these criticisms.
Researchers have long documented the negative health consequences of immigration enforcement, including worsening chronic conditions, poorer birth outcomes, and increased anxiety. This current situation in Minnesota underscores the profound and far-reaching impact of these policies on public health, extending beyond the individuals directly targeted to encompass entire communities.
