Trump's Proposal to Terminate Somali Protections Sparks Outrage in Minnesota

Sat Nov 22 2025 23:10:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

President Trump's recent pledge to end Temporary Protected Status for Somalis in Minnesota has ignited fears within the local community and stirred up legal challenges.

President Trump's announcement to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali immigrants in Minnesota has triggered fears and pushback from community leaders and advocates. Critics argue the move is politically charged and lacks legal basis, as the Somali community has contributed significantly to Minnesota’s culture and economy. The push for TPS termination reflects broader hardline immigration policies that could deepen the challenges faced by immigrant communities.

In a recent social media post, President Donald Trump announced plans to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals residing in Minnesota, escalating fears among the state's Somali immigrant community. Described as the largest in the U.S., local leaders are voicing concerns about the implications of this policy, especially amid rising Islamophobia.

Trump's proclamation, which claims to revoke TPS immediately, has faced immediate backlash from various lawmakers and immigration specialists, who contend that his administration lacks the authority to target a specific community legally. Heidi Altman, from the National Immigrant Justice Center, pointed out that there’s no legal mechanism that allows the president to terminate protected status for a particular community or state that he has beef with.”

Community advocates are alarmed that this stance could intensify negative sentiments towards Somali residents. Jaylani Hussein, president of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, commented, This is not just a bureaucratic change; it is a political attack on the Somali and Muslim community driven by Islamophobic and hateful rhetoric.”

Responding to Trump’s claims of Somali gangs and fraud in Minnesota, state lawmakers, including Governor Tim Walz, emphasized the state’s safety records and the contributions of the Somali community to local culture. “Somali folks came to Minnesota fleeing conflict, instability, and famine, and they have become an integral part of our state, our culture, and our community,” emphasized Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.

The long-standing TPS has protected around 705 Somalis nationwide, a small fraction of the Somali diaspora in Minnesota. Advocates stress the ongoing dangers in Somalia, which has been deemed unsafe for repatriation since the civil war erupted in 1991, exacerbated by the continued threat of extremist violence.

The announcement arrives amid a broader trend of the Trump administration imposing stricter immigration measures, including attempts to end TPS for various groups, a metaphorical whip lashed against vulnerable immigrant populations.

As this episode unfolds, advocates and community leaders vow to explore all legal avenues to challenge Trump's directive, emphasizing solidarity against hate and commitment to uphold the rights of Somali immigrants in Minnesota.