The Somali community in Minnesota is facing increased anxiety as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are spotted in key areas like Karmel Mall and Village Market Mall, popular spots for shopping, socializing, and prayer. Reports also indicate that ICE agents have been seen near apartments in Minneapolis, trying to arrest Somali residents.
Tensions escalated after President Trump made derogatory comments during a cabinet meeting last Tuesday, calling Somalis “garbage” and suggesting they should be sent “back to where they came from.” Many Republican lawmakers stayed silent, while Vice President JD Vance expressed approval, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called Trump’s remarks “amazing.”
These comments echo Trump’s previous remarks about immigrants from “shithole countries,” which drew significant backlash in the past.
The Minnesota Somali community condemned Trump’s remarks as hateful and xenophobic, viewing them as an attempt to deflect attention from issues like inflation and healthcare. In response, community rallies were held at locations such as Karmel Mall and the Minnesota Capitol to protest.
Khalid Omar, a community organizer, stated, “What the President said is an attack on the Somali community in Minnesota and is un-American. He is using scapegoating instead of addressing real issues.”
Democratic leaders, including Governor Tim Walz and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, also criticized Trump’s remarks. Faith leaders from various backgrounds joined in solidarity with the Somali community, denouncing the President’s comments.
According to the Census Bureau, around 260,000 people of Somali descent lived in the U.S. in 2024, with about 84,000 residing in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Most are U.S. citizens, with many having fled civil war in Somalia.
Just a week before his comments, Trump announced the end of Temporary Protected Status for Somalis in Minnesota, leading some community leaders to view this as a tactic to create fear and division. Sh. Yussuf Abdulle, Executive Director of the Islamic Association of North America, emphasized, “We are one community, and we’re called Minnesotans.”
Community leader Mohamed Ahmed criticized ICE’s presence, suggesting it is meant to intimidate residents. “The vast majority of the Somali community are U.S. citizens. The real motive is to scare people, but we are not afraid of him.”
The events highlight a community determined to stand together against racism and xenophobia, asserting their identity and rights as Minnesotans.
Stay tuned for more stories on this issue.
