The federal government's Operation Metro Surge (ICE) operation in Minnesota has negatively impacted businesses in rural communities across the state, particularly in Long Prairie, Minn. The surge of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents has led to decreased business in the small town of Long Prairie. Businesses on Central Avenue, the main street in the town, have been closed temporarily due to the surge, and some have re-opened after temporarily closing temporarily. The impact on these businesses remains uncertain as businesses have been hesitant to visit. The Southwest Initiative Foundation President Scott Marquardt said that the impact of the ICE crackdown on rural areas has been significant. Legislators are considering recovery aid for affected businesses across Minnesota. Long Prairie is a two-hour drive northwest of Minneapolis and has seen significant growth from immigrants from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Puerto Rico. The town's population has been largely driven by new arrivals, mostly from Mexico and the United States, with about one in five of its residents being foreign born.