Somali-Americans in Minnesota have expressed increased concerns following heightened criticism of their community from U.S. President Donald Trump this week.
Community leaders have told the BBC that “apprehension is palpable” after President Trump’s remarks, including statements that he does not want Somalis in the U.S. and that the country would “go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage.”
“When you’re being targeted by the President of the United States, it’s not really a good feeling,” stated Aj Awed, executive director of the Cedar-Riverside Community Council, representing a district known as Little Mogadishu due to its significant Somali population.
Compounding these concerns are reports of ongoing enforcement operations in Minnesota targeting undocumented immigrants.
Mr. Awed indicated the council will discuss potential risks of holding an in-person annual event scheduled for next week due to the enforcement operation.
“The people that are getting caught up in this are people who don’t speak that great of English, but who have been citizens for decades,” he explained. “Just because you have an accent does not make you less American.”
President Trump made disparaging remarks criticizing the Somali community at the White House on Tuesday. “I don’t want them in our country, I’ll be honest with you… their country is no good for a reason,” he said.
Mr. Awed characterized the comments as “dangerous,” adding it was “not becoming of a president to be just attacking other Americans.”
The President’s statements came in response to a question regarding whether Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz should resign over allegations of extensive fraud within a state social assistance program.
Dozens of individuals have been charged in connection with a scheme involving fraudulent billing to the Minnesota government by a charity for meals intended for children during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to federal prosecutors.
Several Somali immigrants have been implicated in the alleged scheme, which is estimated to have cost the state tens of millions of dollars, according to Kayseh Magan, a former investigator in Minnesota’s attorney general’s office.
While those accused represent a small fraction of Minnesota’s large Somali population, President Trump has repeatedly criticized the community. In a post last month, he described the state as a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity” and alleged last week that “hundreds of thousands of Somalians are ripping off our country.”
On Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee announced the opening of an investigation into Governor Walz’s handling of the relief scheme.
The Trump administration has also stated it is examining claims that Minnesota tax dollars are being funneled to al-Shabab, an Islamist group affiliated with al-Qaeda, based in Somalia.
When asked about these claims last month, Governor Walz responded: “Do not paint an entire group of people with that same brush – demonizing them, putting them at risk when there is no proof to do that.”
“But if you want to help us and you want to go after the criminals and make sure there’s no connection or find out where the money went, we welcome that.”
Jamal Osman, a member of the Minneapolis City Council who immigrated to the U.S. at age 14 and is now a naturalized citizen, stated, “Anyone who looks like me [is] scared right now,” in an interview with CBS News.
Regarding the fraud allegations repeatedly referenced by President Trump in his criticisms of the Somali community, Mr. Osman said, “My community is upset. Yes, people commit crimes, but an entire community should not be blamed based on what some individuals did.”
The Trump administration has terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) – a program for immigrants from countries experiencing crises – for Somali residents in Minnesota.
Their enforcement operation is reportedly targeting those with final deportation orders, according to CBS News, the BBC’s U.S. partner, and began on Wednesday.
“ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is already here,” said Kowsar Mohamed, a resident of south Minneapolis. The city is home to over 80,000 people of Somali descent.
“We’re seeing boots on the ground activity where folks are just being plucked off of the streets and being asked about their residency status. That’s not a data informed approach,” she stated.
“Most folks have the identification necessary, so the fear is not around proof. The fear is around mistakes happening.”
A spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, denied that any people would be targeted based on race.
“Every day, ICE enforces the laws of the nation across the country,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “What makes someone a target of ICE is not their race or ethnicity, but the fact that they are in the country illegally.”
Local community organizations had been anticipating increased immigration enforcement, but after President Trump’s comments, they accelerated their preparations, according to Ms. Mohamed.
One organization, Monarca, has scheduled “legal observer training” in Minneapolis to educate individuals about their rights when witnessing federal immigration activity.
Ms. Mohamed explained that other methods the community is using to prepare include establishing emergency contact networks for ICE encounters and utilizing private messaging groups for sharing photos of unmarked vehicles and masked agents.
“Everyone is just going to be in the space of caution,” she said.
“Is there fear? Absolutely. But no one is tucking behind their tail.”
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