Industry Associations Largely Silent on Immigration Crackdown

Four weeks into what federal officials have described as the largest immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history, most major meetings and travel industry associations have declined to comment publicly, despite rising concerns among meeting planners and local stakeholders.

The enforcement effort, known as Metro Surge, has deployed more than 3,000 federal agents across the Minneapolis–St. Paul region. The operation has resulted in two fatal shootings involving federal officers and contributed to a statewide general strike on Jan. 23, heightening anxiety around safety, public spaces and travel to the destination.

Meet Minneapolis Responds

Meet Minneapolis has taken a proactive approach, adding a dedicated section to its website outlining federal immigration enforcement protocols in the city. Meet Minneapolis has also launched MPLS for MPLS, a community-focused marketing initiative designed to encourage residents to support neighborhood businesses during the disruption. It encourages residents to support local businesses by grabbing takeout, shopping locally, ordering online and purchasing gift cards.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Skift Meetings.