President Donald Trump’s pledge to terminate temporary legal protections for Somalis living in Minnesota is triggering fear in the state’s immigrant community, and raises doubts about the legality of the proposed directive.
In a late Friday post on Truth Social, Trump claimed he would immediately revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali residents in Minnesota, which provides a safeguard against deportation for immigrants hailing from certain countries.
The announcement prompted swift backlash from state leaders and immigration experts, deeming Trump’s declaration as legally questionable and an attempt to sow doubt within Minnesota’s Somali community, the largest in the U.S.
“There’s no legal mechanism that allows the president to terminate protected status for a particular community,” stated Heidi Altman, policy director at the National Immigrant Justice Center.
“This is Trump doing what he always does: targeting immigrants without justification and using that rhetoric to undermine vital protections,” she added.
The Trump administration must revoke TPS for Somalis nationally by mid-January, which would affect only a small number of individuals. A congressional report noted that only 705 Somalis are covered by TPS across the U.S.
Moreover, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar criticized the move, asserting, “I am a citizen and so are most Somalis in America; good luck celebrating a policy change that doesn’t impact those you target.”
Despite political statements, community advocates emphasized that this initiative could worsen anti-Somali sentiment as Islamophobia rises. Jaylani Hussein, from the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, described the move as an assault on the Somali and Muslim community fueled by hate.
In his post, Trump also alleged without evidence that Somali gangs target Minnesota residents and labeled the state a hub for fraudulent activities. These claims clash with the state's long-standing reputation for safety.
Governor Tim Walz remarked that targeting an entire community to shift focus reflects Trump's usual strategy. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison announced his office was assessing all possible responses, emphasizing that discrete communities cannot be targeted based on personal biases.
Somalis in Minnesota have sought refuge from conflict and famine, integrating into the state’s fabric, with TPS being extended 27 times since 1991 due to ongoing dangers in Somalia, such as civil unrest and terrorist threats.
Advocates assert that the Somali diaspora has revitalized downtown areas and nurtures Minnesota's diverse political landscape. Ultimately, they assert, destabilizing this community jeopardizes safety for all residents.
