Ask Onix
Trump targets Somali community in immigration crackdown
US President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday that he opposes Somali immigration to the United States, calling the country "barely a nation" and urging migrants to "go back to where they came from." His remarks coincided with reports of a planned enforcement operation in Minnesota, home to the largest Somali population in the US.
Trump's remarks during cabinet meeting
Speaking at the end of a televised cabinet meeting, Trump stated, "I don't want them in our country. I'll be honest with you." When questioned about political correctness, he dismissed concerns, saying, "I don't care."
He described Somalia as a country with "no structure," claiming its people "just run around killing each other." Trump also criticized Representative Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American Democrat from Minnesota, calling her "incompetent" and accusing her of hating "everybody."
"His obsession with me is creepy. I hope he gets the help he desperately needs."
Rep. Ilhan Omar, via social media
Planned ICE operation in Minnesota
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is reportedly preparing to target undocumented Somali immigrants in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, according to a source familiar with the plans. Hundreds could be affected when the operation begins this week, though the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not confirmed details.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that ICE targets individuals based on immigration status, not race or ethnicity. "What makes someone a target of ICE is not their race or ethnicity, but the fact that they are in the country illegally," she said.
Local leaders condemn enforcement plans
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey warned that the operation would violate due process, while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat and former running mate of Vice President Kamala Harris, called it a "PR stunt" that fails to address real issues. Walz emphasized that the state welcomes efforts to combat crime but opposes indiscriminate targeting of immigrants.
State Senator Zaynab Mohamed, also a Democrat, asserted on social media that most Somalis in Minnesota are US citizens, stating, "When ICE agents interact with Somalis here, they will find what we've been saying for years: Almost all of us are US citizens."
Broader immigration crackdown
Trump's comments follow his administration's recent moves to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali residents in Minnesota, which could affect hundreds. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also indicated plans to investigate visa fraud in the state.
The administration has intensified immigration enforcement after the fatal shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., last week. The suspect, an Afghan immigrant, has been charged with murder. Trump has cited the incident as justification for stricter policies.
Somali migration to the US
Somalia, one of the world's poorest nations, has been ravaged by decades of civil war. Many Somali immigrants arrived in the US during the 1990s, fleeing conflict. Minnesota's Somali community, numbering around 80,000, is the largest in the country, with the vast majority holding US citizenship.
