Donald Trump’s administration is preparing to arrest hundreds of Somali immigrants in Minneapolis as part of a crackdown on immigration following the shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. During a Cabinet meeting on March 7, 2023, Trump made inflammatory remarks about Somali immigrants, calling Somalia “barely a country” and claiming that refugees in Minnesota have “ripped off that state for billions of dollars” while contributing nothing.
He stated, “We don’t want them in our country. Their country stinks … When they come from hell, they complain, they do nothing but bitch. Let them go back to their country and fix it.” Trump’s comments have reignited tensions surrounding Somali immigrants, despite the shooter being an Afghan national who had received asylum in the United States earlier in the year.
The administration’s focus on the Somali community coincides with ongoing plans by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deploy roughly 100 federal law enforcement officers in so-called strike teams to target individuals with final deportation orders. Reports indicate that this operation may also affect those still seeking legal status. According to Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, “What makes someone a target of ICE is not their race or ethnicity, but the fact that they are in the country illegally.”
Following the attack on National Guard members, Trump announced a series of stringent immigration policies. These include a “permanent” pause on immigration from “Third World Countries” and proposals to revoke U.S. citizenship from naturalized immigrants who he claims undermine domestic tranquility. Additionally, he threatened to end all federal benefits to noncitizens and deport those deemed “non-compatible with Western Civilization.”
More than 42,000 Somalis reside in Minnesota, establishing it as the largest Somali diaspora community globally, a result of the civil war that began in Somalia in the 1990s. Representative Ilhan Omar, whose family fled Somalia during the conflict and became a U.S. citizen over two decades ago, has frequently been a target of Trump’s derogatory remarks. He has falsely suggested she “probably” entered the country illegally and criticized her demeanor.
The Trump administration’s plans also include potentially canceling Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia, a program that allows immigrants from countries experiencing humanitarian crises to live and work in the United States. According to the Congressional Research Service, as of March 2023, there were 705 Somalis covered under TPS.
In a broader context, nearly three-quarters of all Somali immigrants in the United States are naturalized citizens, as reported by the Census Bureau. Critics argue that the Trump administration’s policies have de-legalized tens of thousands of immigrants, particularly as it has imposed sweeping travel bans that prevent those deported from returning to the U.S.
Adding to the controversy, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced an investigation into whether government funds in Minnesota were diverted to the militant group Al-Shabaab in Somalia. Trump has described Minnesota as a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity,” a claim that has drawn criticism from state officials.
In response to the planned ICE operations, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz labeled the actions a “PR stunt,” emphasizing that the demonization of the Somali community overlooks their contributions to society. “Demonizing an entire community … they bring the diversity and the energy to a place like Minnesota,” Walz stated in a recent interview.
As federal agents increasingly target Democratic-led cities, the situation remains tense. Protests have erupted in various locations, with demonstrators accusing federal agents of using excessive force against peaceful protests. The evolving narrative surrounding Somali immigrants in Minnesota highlights the ongoing national debate over immigration policy and its implications for communities across the United States.
The Independent has reached out to representatives for Walz and Omar for further comment.
