Quick Read
- President Trump publicly rejected Somali immigrants, calling Somalia ‘barely a country.’
- ICE is planning an enforcement operation targeting undocumented Somalis in Minnesota.
- Minnesota officials say most Somali residents are US citizens and warn of due process violations.
- The move follows a high-profile shooting involving a suspect from Afghanistan, intensifying immigration debate.
- Local leaders and Somali Americans condemn the plan, citing risks to community trust and civil rights.
Trump’s Comments Ignite Tensions Over Somali Presence in the US
On December 3, 2025, President Donald Trump made a series of controversial statements regarding Somali immigrants in the United States, sparking widespread concern and condemnation from Minnesota’s Somali community and local officials. During a televised cabinet meeting, Trump told reporters, “I don’t want them in our country, I’ll be honest with you,” and further disparaged Somalia itself, calling it “barely a country” and claiming it has “no structure.” These remarks come amid reports that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning an enforcement operation targeting undocumented Somali immigrants in Minnesota, home to one of the world’s largest Somali communities outside Africa.
ICE Operation in Minnesota Raises Concerns of Due Process
The planned ICE operation, first reported by The New York Times and confirmed by sources to CBS News, is set to target hundreds of individuals in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul. These cities are known for their vibrant Somali neighborhoods and cultural hubs, with approximately 80,000 residents originally from Somalia. According to local leaders, the vast majority are American citizens, prompting fears that an aggressive enforcement sweep could unfairly impact lawful residents.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey spoke out against the plan, warning that “an operation by ICE means due process will be violated.” Minnesota state Senator Zaynab Mohamed echoed these concerns, noting on social media that “almost all of us are US citizens.” The sentiment was reinforced by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who criticized the move as a “PR stunt” rather than a real solution to criminal activity. The backdrop to these events includes heightened tensions following a shooting in Washington DC, in which a suspect originally from Afghanistan was charged with murder, further fueling the administration’s push for tougher immigration measures.
Local Leaders Push Back Against Blanket Immigration Enforcement
Community leaders and residents in Minnesota have condemned the Trump administration’s approach, arguing it risks conflating citizenship status with ethnic background. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, denied that enforcement actions would target individuals based on race, stating, “What makes someone a target of ICE is not their race or ethnicity, but the fact that they are in the country illegally.” Yet, the timing and rhetoric of the president’s statements have raised alarm among Somali Americans, many of whom fled their homeland in the 1990s to escape civil war and have since built lives and businesses in the US.
Representative Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American elected to Congress and a frequent target of Trump’s criticism, responded pointedly to his remarks, calling his “obsession” with her “creepy” and urging that he “gets the help he desperately needs.” For many in Minnesota’s Somali community, such language from the president feels personal and dangerous, threatening the sense of belonging they have worked hard to establish.
Legal and Social Implications: Citizenship, Rights, and Community Trust
The controversy has highlighted the delicate balance between immigration enforcement and the protection of civil rights. While ICE insists its operations are legally justified and not racially motivated, local officials warn that the aggressive posture could undermine trust between communities and law enforcement, and risk violating the due process rights of American citizens. The recent announcement to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali residents adds another layer of uncertainty, potentially affecting a few hundred immigrants who relied on the program for legal residency.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested the agency would also target visa fraud in Minnesota, but did not provide specifics. For now, community advocates are urging calm and vigilance, emphasizing that most Somali Minnesotans are American citizens and calling for policies that respect their rights and contributions.
Assessment: The facts presented reveal a deepening rift between federal immigration policy and local realities. President Trump’s rhetoric, paired with targeted enforcement actions, has sown fear and frustration in Minnesota’s Somali community, raising critical questions about citizenship, rights, and the responsibilities of government. The situation underscores the need for nuanced, fact-based policymaking that distinguishes between undocumented immigrants and American citizens, and respects the diversity that defines modern America.