The Somali community in Minnesota is on edge after President Donald Trump issued some of his harshest remarks yet about Somali immigrants followed by plans for a major federal immigration enforcement operation across the Minneapolis St. Paul region.
During a recent meeting, the President declared that he does not want Somalis in the United States, accusing the community of straining public systems and urging them to go back and fix their homeland. His comments triggered widespread criticism from civil rights leaders, state officials and Somali American representatives who described the language as inflammatory and discriminatory.
Shortly after the remarks, federal immigration authorities began preparing a large scale operation focused on detaining Somali nationals with outstanding deportation orders. The action is expected to involve multiple teams of immigration officers deployed across neighbourhoods with significant Somali populations. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali diaspora in the United States.
Local officials expressed deep concern about the scope and potential consequences of the operation. They warned that aggressive enforcement could lead to the wrongful detention of lawful residents and even U.S. citizens, particularly in a community where families often include members with mixed immigration statuses. Some city leaders have already stated that local police will not participate in assisting federal agents.
Somali community leaders say fear has sharply increased since Trump’s statements. Many report families staying indoors, keeping children home from school or seeking legal advice in anticipation of the raids. Advocacy groups are mobilising rapid response teams to support individuals who may be detained.
Immigration analysts note that the planned sweep reflects a broader shift in federal policy, as temporary protections previously granted to certain Somali migrants have recently been removed. This has left many long term residents vulnerable to arrest and deportation, even if they have lived in the U.S. for decades.
Critics argue that the combination of inflammatory rhetoric and targeted enforcement risks deepening mistrust between immigrant communities and the federal government. They also warn that mass detentions could divide families, disrupt livelihoods, and inflame tensions in Minnesota, a state that has worked for years to integrate Somali refugees and asylum seekers.