MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Recent statements by President Donald Trump and top administration officials disparaging Minnesota’s large Somali community have put a spotlight on the immigrants from the war-torn east African country and their descendants.
Trump stated he did not want Somalis in the U.S. because “they contribute nothing.” This statement came shortly after it was reported that federal authorities were planning a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, primarily focusing on Somali immigrants residing unlawfully in the U.S.
Largest Somali American population in the US
As of 2024, there are approximately 260,000 people of Somali descent in the United States, according to the Census Bureau. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area has the highest concentration, with around 84,000 residents, the majority of whom are American citizens. Nearly 58% of Somalis in Minnesota are U.S.-born, and 87% of the foreign-born population have become naturalized citizens.
Many of these immigrants sought refuge from the long civil war in Somalia, attracted by Minnesota's supportive social programs.
Trump targets the community
Trump has increasingly criticized the Somali community, stating they “have caused a lot of trouble.” Along with other officials, he intensified his rhetoric following claims from a conservative news outlet that taxpayer funds have been misused to support al-Shabab, a militant group in Somalia.
While Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned that the agency is investigating the potential misallocation of taxpayer funds, no substantial evidence supporting these claims has emerged, and federal prosecutors have yet to charge anyone with connections to foreign terrorist organizations in ongoing fraud cases.
In recent discussions, Trump announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Somali migrants in Minnesota, a move criticized as legally dubious and politically motivated. This program, designed to protect individuals from deportation, reportedly covers only about 705 individuals across the nation.
Fraud allegations lead to pushback
Leaders in the Somali community, alongside allies like Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have pushed back against narratives linking the entire community to fraudulent activities. The conversation has been fueled by cases of substantial fraud, such as the “Feeding Our Future” scandal, which involved claims of feeding millions of children during the pandemic. Although many defendants are Somali, most are U.S. citizens, and the alleged ringleader was not.
In the ongoing investigations, total fraud estimates have grown to approximately $300 million, with 78 defendants implicated as the cases progress through the legal system.
Earlier terrorism cases still echo
Authorities have long grappled with the issue of Somali individuals being recruited by terrorist organizations like the Islamic State and al-Shabab. This concern first rose to prominence in 2007, when over 20 young men traveled to Somalia to join insurgent groups.
Somalis have become a force in Minnesota politics
Representative Ilhan Omar, a prominent Somali American, represents a district in Minneapolis and often finds herself targeted by Trump. In addition to Omar, other Somali Americans have made strides in state and local government, playing influential roles in Minnesota's political landscape.
