The Trump administration has directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to focus on undocumented Somali immigrants in Minnesota, sparking widespread criticism and concern among the state’s Somali community. The directive follows remarks by President Donald Trump during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, in which he described Somali immigrants as “garbage” and said he did not want them in the United States.
“I’ll be honest with you, the US would go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country,” Trump told reporters, adding that Somali immigrants “add little to the United States” and urging them to “go back to where they came from and fix it.” He also criticised Representative Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat and Somali immigrant, renewing his longstanding attacks on her.
According to reports from US media outlets, ICE is preparing to target hundreds of Somali immigrants in Minneapolis and St. Paul, home to one of the largest Somali communities in the world. The operation, expected to begin this week, is part of a broader effort by the administration to curtail the presence of immigrants from certain countries, although the legality of ending temporary protections for Somali residents has been questioned by experts.
Trump’s comments and the targeting of Somali immigrants come shortly after the administration halted all asylum decisions following a shooting near the White House involving two National Guard soldiers. The suspected attacker is Afghan-born, but Trump has extended scrutiny to immigrants from Somalia, citing unverified claims linking Minnesota-based Somali programs to money funneled to the al-Qaeda-linked group al-Shabab. Conservative activist Christopher Rufo’s reporting in a magazine amplified these allegations, prompting Trump to publicly call for Somalis in Minnesota to be sent “back to where they came from.”
Minnesota officials and immigration advocates have criticised the president’s remarks and the directive. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described Trump’s statements as “wrong” and emphasised the contributions of Somali immigrants to the community. Rep. Ilhan Omar responded on social media, calling Trump’s focus on her “creepy” and suggesting he seek help.
While the announcement has caused alarm, the number of Somalis affected by the termination of temporary legal protections is relatively small. A report prepared for Congress in August indicated that only 705 individuals nationwide are covered under Temporary Protected Status. Nevertheless, the broader Somali population in Minnesota numbers tens of thousands, many of whom arrived as refugees in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Legal experts have raised questions about whether the White House has the authority to implement the directive as described, noting that it could face challenges in court. Meanwhile, community leaders in Minnesota are urging calm and are working to provide information and support to residents potentially affected by the ICE operation.
The administration’s approach marks a significant escalation in its scrutiny of Somali immigrants in Minnesota and underscores ongoing tensions around immigration policy and enforcement.
