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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 23/09/2026

Yesterday, dozens of researchers, community leaders, and journalists came together for "Documenting the Impact of U.S. DHS in Minnesota," a full day of data, research, and conversations about the toll of this winter's federal immigration surge.

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Aaron Sojourner @aaronsojourner.org · 22/09/2026

The wonderful @aaronrosenthal.bsky.social research director of @northstarpolicy.org and my coauthor, chairs the closing session.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 22/09/2026

Our RD on how Operation Metro surge impacted the Minnesota economy and hurt working Minnesotans. You can read our latest report here: northstarpolicy.org/leisure-and-...

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Aaron Sojourner @aaronsojourner.org · 22/09/2026

Stacey Pelika, one of the main conference organizers, in dialogue with Fridley Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brenda Lewis. None of what DHS did on our school property involved proper warrants and coordination. It wasn't enforcement activity. It aimed to create terror among our families.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 22/09/2026

Today we convened researchers, advocates, and community partners at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School to document the impact of DHS activity in Minnesota. Grateful to The Advocates for Human Rights and everyone in the room working to bring data and accountability to this moment.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 02/09/2026

"AI represents a particular vulnerability to our economy" — North Star's Aaron Rosenthal on why MN white-collar-heavy headquarters economy is especially exposed to AI. New piece via @minnesotareformer.com: newsfromthestates.com/article/ai-could-upend-headquarters-economy-made-minnesota-rich

newsfromthestates.com

AI could upend the headquarters economy that made Minnesota rich

Several years ago, I spoke to Jawed Karim, a former St. Paul resident who co-founded YouTube before Google purchased it in 2005.A soft-spoken computer engineer who is part Bengali and German, Karim so...

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 26/08/2026

New report: Minnesota school districts are still getting less state aid than they did in 2003 and the gains made in 2023 are on track to erode within two years. northstarpolicy.org/the-gap/

northstarpolicy.org

The Gap that Remains: The State of School Funding in Minnesota | North Star Policy Action

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 06/08/2026

New report: our latest research finds rising student non-participation is making MCA scores a less accurate measure of school performance.

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Public News Service @publicnewsservice.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

A pause in federal reviews of wind-energy projects has affected four proposed #Minnesota developments. A new analysis estimates 4,400 jobs could be lost and $1.6 billion in investment could be delayed or canceled as states challenge the freeze in court. #WindEnergy @northstarpolicy.org

app.publicnewsservice.org

Military's pause of wind farm reviews stalls MN projects

Minnesota is now part of legal action to jumpstart federal reviews of onshore wind projects. The Department of Defense hit pause on security checks and an independent think tank said

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 30/07/2026

We’re proud to be co-planning Documenting the Impact of DHS Activity in Minnesota, a Sept. 22 research convening at the UMN. Seeking proposals on the impacts of DHS activity, including economic, public health, human rights, and community impacts Proposal deadline: Aug. 13 forms.gle/KEyfoix6ywP7...

forms.gle

Documenting the Impact of DHS Activity in Minnesota: Presenter and Attendee Interest Form

Due date for presentation proposals: 11:59 pm CT, Thursday, August 13, 2026. In December 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began a significant, sustained agent surge in Minnesota t...

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 22/07/2026

North Star Policy Action's research is featured in recent coverage of the Pentagon's wind energy review freeze — and what it's costing Minnesota. 4,400 jobs. $1.6 billion in investment. Read more: minneapolisnews.net/news/279199959/military-pause-of-wind-farm-reviews-stalls-mn-projects

minneapolisnews.net

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 07/07/2026

New North Star Policy Action research: the federal government's pause on onshore wind energy development is putting 1,200 Minnesota construction jobs and $1.6 billion in investment at risk.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 01/07/2026

New from North Star Policy Action: health care costs are rising for working Minnesotans and wages aren't keeping up. Our new report breaks down what's driving the increase.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 18/06/2026

🚨 New report Trump’s economic policies drove a historic spike in the cost of living for MN families in 2025 Minnesotans paid $4.6 BILLION more for basic necessities than they would have if costs had followed historical trends, as costs rose 6.1% across counties. northstarpolicy.org/affordabilit...

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 02/06/2026

New report from North Star Policy Action and the W.E. Upjohn Institute: Operation Metro Surge had devastating impacts on Minnesota’s Leisure and hospitality industry.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 28/05/2026

ICE’s Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota thousands of jobs between December 2025 and February 2026 impacting workers, families, and businesses across the state. Our report on the economic impacts was featured by COURIER at their new MN newsroom: couriermn.com/news/how-ope...

couriermn.com

How Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota thousands of jobs - Courier Minnesota

ICE’s Operation Metro Surge turned many local Minnesota businesses upside down as employers, employees, and customers feared for their safety.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 15/05/2026

A recent Star Tribune headline declared the $15 minimum wage in the Twin Cities caused "higher pay, fewer jobs" — citing research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, pushed by the industry group Hospitality Minnesota.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 04/05/2026

The grades are in — Minnesota just got its ASCE Infrastructure Report Card, and the results aren't good. The MN Senate has a bonding bill on the table right now. This is how we change the grade. #MNLeg #MNSenate #northstarpolicyaction

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 24/04/2026

Our latest analysis featured in the Minnesota Reformer: ICE is bad for business. New data show Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota thousands of jobs, including 5,700 in hospitality and 4,400 in construction. minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/23/r...

minnesotareformer.com

Report: Operation Metro Surge cost Minnesota thousands of jobs in hospitality, construction • Minnesota Reformer

Federal employment data shows Minnesota lost 5,700 hospitality jobs and 4,400 construction jobs from December to February.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 15/04/2026

This Tax Day, we’re thinking about how working families are paying the price for Trump’s massive tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, offset by nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 13/04/2026

“Most of the human cost of the past few months cannot be undone through state assistance. But the economic damage from Operation Metro Surge provides an opportunity for the state to take meaningful, reparative action.” 👏👏👏 — @aaronrosenthal.bsky.social, Research Director at NSPA Source: WCCO

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 07/04/2026

NEW REPORT: State data confirms that Operation Metro Surge had a damaging impact on Minnesota’s economy, particularly for workers and businesses in the Twin Cities. northstarpolicy.org/metro-surge-...

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 26/03/2026

We testified in the MN Senate today in support of commonsense protections for workers as AI rapidly reshapes the workplace. Our research shows that though 1 in 3 Minnesota workers are at high risk of exposure to generative AI, women and workers in low-union occupations still face the highest risk.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 24/03/2026

Today we’re testifying in support of a bill to ban surveillance-based wage discrimination in the Minnesota House. Here’s what that means:

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 17/03/2026

Today we testified before the MN House Workforce, Labor & Economic Development Committee on our research on Generative AI’s impacts on MN workers. The testimony comes as lawmakers introduce bills to set guardrails for AI in the workplace. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh4B...

youtube.com

Minnesota and AI Worker Protections

YouTube video by North Star Policy Action

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 04/03/2026

800,000 Minnesota workers are at high risk of exposure to generative AI. AI is rapidly reshaping workplaces but Minnesota lawmakers have yet to pass any AI regulations or worker protections. Our Research Director outlined the paths for moving forward on WCCO: www.youtube.com/shorts/lsCLK...

youtube.com

What path is Minnesota going to take?

YouTube video by North Star Policy Action

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 04/03/2026

$106 million. That’s how much workers in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area lost in wages during Operation Metro Surge according to our new research at North Star Policy Action. This week, Planet Money’s The Indicator broke down our findings. Listen to the clip: youtube.com/source/UbdcS...

youtube.com

MN Workers Lost Over $100 million from Operation Metro Surge

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 26/02/2026

Yesterday on Fox 9, our Research Director @aaronrosenthal.bsky.social, broke down what MN lawmakers can do to regulate AI and protect workers. 1 in 3 MN workers face high exposure to Generative AI yet Minnesota has not passed laws governing AI’s use in the workplace. m.youtube.com/shorts/TXUyB...

m.youtube.com

How can Minnesota Regulate Generative AI in the workplace?

YouTube video by North Star Policy Action

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Jared Bernstein @jaredb-econ.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

This is such important work, and practically in real time, which is very important. Also, shows economists can apply our skills to aid the resistance!

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Aaron Rosenthal @aaronrosenthal.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

New research with @aaronsojourner.org of the @upjohninstitute.bsky.social posted on @northstarpolicy.org's blog. We find that Operation Metro Surge caused declines in employees working, hours worked, and businesses open, leading to an estimated $106 million wage loss for Twin Cities workers.

northstarpolicy.org

Impact of DHS Agent Surge on Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metro Area Labor Outcomes | North Star Policy Action

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 25/02/2026

BREAKING: In just six weeks, Minnesota workers lost over $100 million in wages due to Operation Metro Surge. This means millions of dollars didn’t make it to Minnesota families and small businesses, a conservative estimate that likely understates the full impact.

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Aaron Rosenthal @aaronrosenthal.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Our new report makes three things clear: 1. AI plays an increasingly large role in MN workers' lives. 2. Workers are anxious about this role and believe new regulations are needed. 3. MN policymakers need to pass commonsense laws to align AI innovation with worker welfare.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 24/02/2026

NEW REPORT: Rapid AI expansion is outpacing worker protections in Minnesota.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 20/02/2026

Yesterday, at the Minnesota House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Committee, our Executive Director testified on the ongoing ripple effects of federal immigration enforcement on Minnesota’s economy.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 12/02/2026

Operation Metro Surge may be ending but the long-term human and economic impacts are still unfolding. Federal officials have announced that immigration enforcement in Minnesota will draw down, but ICE activity remains in the state and it’s not yet clear how conditions on the ground are changing.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 28/01/2026

The @prospect.org just released new reporting citing our analysis on Operation Metro Surge. Toplines: • $18M/week in taxpayer costs • $80M/week in lost economic activity • Long-term damage to schools, healthcare, and housing •MN corporations need to be held accountable prospect.org/2026/01/28/m...

prospect.org

Minnesota CEOs Cry Crocodile Tears Over ICE - The American Prospect

Executives who lobbied for Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which enabled the immigration terror in their state, now want everyone to believe they are on the people’s side.

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David Dayen @ddayen.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Yes, one underreported part of this is the economic loss for cities as the result of federal occupation. Talked to some great folks at North Star Policy Action about that, who said, "It’s an economic and social dead zone. It’s worse than the pandemic." prospect.org/2026/01/28/m...

Schweitzer said that conditions are most dire for local restaurants, construction sites, and day care facilities, which have large percentages of employees from immigrant populations. Those businesses have routinely shuttered, and some have gone out of business entirely. When child care facilities close, caregivers must take off work if they can’t find someone else to watch their kids. “Day care isn’t a thriving economic situation to begin with,” Schweitzer said. “How do you further break a broken market?”

Overall, North Star Policy Action conservatively estimates a 10 percent decline in economic activity, which translates to $80 million in losses per week. The group added that long-term costs are even more dire, like from Black and Latino students missing over a month of school, acute health care needs rising as residents skip preventive care, and housing costs rising as construction slows and housing gets built more slowly.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 27/01/2026

Things we could do in MN with the $18 million a week it costs taxpayers to fund Operation Metro Surge: - Provide Medicaid coverage for 5,000 Minnesota children - Fund a full week of SNAP benefits for every eligible Minnesotan - Cover the annual salaries of 225 school mental health professionals

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 22/01/2026

New Report: The Cost of Operation “Metro Surge” finds that federal enforcement in Minnesota is costing taxpayers at least $18 million per week — a conservative estimate of personnel, lodging, detention, and police overtime costs. Read the full report: northstarpolicy.org/metro-surge-...

northstarpolicy.org

The Cost of Operation Metro Surge | North Star Policy Action

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 16/01/2026

“Corporate and political leaders are seriously underestimating how mad Minnesotans are about these ongoing federal attacks.” — North Star Policy Action

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 14/01/2026

NEW FACT SHEET: ICE enforcement is actively disrupting Minnesota’s economy. Read the full fact sheet here: northstarpolicy.org/business-imp...

northstarpolicy.org

FACT SHEET: ICE Enforcement is Disrupting Minnesota’s Economy | North Star Policy Action

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 13/01/2026

We’re continuing to update our fact sheet as new evidence and developments emerge in the killing of Renee Nicole Good and the federal ICE surge in Minnesota. You can read the fact sheet here: northstarpolicy.org/ice-in-minne...

northstarpolicy.org

Facts: Here’s What We Know About ICE in Minnesota | North Star Policy Action

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 09/01/2026

FACTS: Here's what we know about ICE in Minnesota and the tragic killing of Renee Nicole Good Read the full fact sheet: northstarpolicy.org/ice-in-minne...

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 09/01/2026

Today we released a new fact sheet documenting the misinformation campaign that preceded and followed the tragic killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis: northstarpolicy.org/ice-in-minne...

northstarpolicy.org

Facts: Here’s What We Know About ICE in Minnesota | North Star Policy Action

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 19/12/2025

Yesterday, North Star Policy Action Executive Director Jake Schwitzer testified before the Minnesota Senate on how tariffs, anti-immigrant policies, health care cuts, and worker protection rollbacks are creating uncertainty across Minnesota’s economy. Full clip: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ1A...

youtube.com

How are President Trump's Federal Actions Impacting the Minnesota Economy?

YouTube video by North Star Policy Action

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 03/12/2025

The Trump administration is failing to agree on whether to extend key ACA subsidies, subsidies that 22 million Americans rely on, including tens of thousands of Minnesotans. Without action, health insurance premiums will spike as early as next week. Here’s how it this would impact Minnesota:

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 20/11/2025

The Minnesota Chamber’s new 2026 Business Benchmarks report offers a snapshot of the Minnesota economy but leaves out some major forces shaping what employers + workers are actually experiencing.

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North Star Policy Action @northstarpolicy.org · 14/11/2025

Last night, we were honored to receive the CTUL Ally Leadership Award from our partners at El Centro de los Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL). The award recognizes our shared work to end worker exploitation and wage theft in Minneapolis’s construction industry.

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