MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA February 13, 2026 – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who is also campaigning as a candidate for Governor, met today with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and local business owners to discuss recovery efforts for small businesses in the state.
In a video posted to her official X account, Senator Klobuchar stated: “Great to join Mayor Frey to meet with local business owners today. So many Minnesota small businesses have been hurt by the ICE surge. But now the ICE is (literally) melting, and it’s time to get out and show them our support statewide.”
The post refers to a recent large-scale increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities across Minnesota, which some local business owners and community leaders have claimed negatively impacted operations, particularly in areas with significant immigrant populations or workforces. The phrase “ICE is melting” appears to be a pun highlighting both the reported reduction or withdrawal of intensive ICE enforcement efforts and the current winter weather conditions in the state.
The meeting focused on demonstrating statewide support for affected small businesses as federal immigration enforcement reportedly scales back in certain areas. No specific details were provided in the post about new state-level assistance programs or economic recovery measures announced during the visit.
The video accompanying the post shows Senator Klobuchar and Mayor Frey engaging with business representatives, though specific locations or individuals were not identified in the caption.
Reactions to the post on X were mixed, with some users criticizing the framing of the “ICE surge” as the primary cause of business difficulties, while others referenced ongoing concerns about fraud investigations or past unrest in Minneapolis. Several replies questioned why related issues such as alleged fraud in state programs or impacts from previous events were not addressed in the message.
Senator Klobuchar’s post comes amid her gubernatorial campaign and follows recent reports, including statements attributed to former ICE Acting Director Tom Homan, indicating that federal agents would continue focusing on specific investigations in Minnesota despite any broader changes in enforcement posture.
This development highlights ongoing tensions between state/local leaders and federal immigration policy in Minnesota, particularly in the Twin Cities region. Further details on potential support initiatives for small businesses are expected as the conversation continues.
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