President Donald Trump has described Somali immigrants as 'garbage' and called for their deportation in a xenophobic rant during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The outburst comes as the administration reportedly ramps up immigration enforcement in Minnesota, home to the largest Somali community in the United States.
Trump specifically targeted Ilhan Omar, a US congresswoman from Minnesota who was born in Somalia. He said Somalia 'stinks' and claimed Somali immigrants 'contribute nothing' to the country. 'We don't want them in our country,' he stated, adding that those who 'complain and do nothing but bitch' should 'go back to where they came from.'
The New York Times reported that the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area will see increased deportation efforts this week, focusing on Somalis with final deportation orders. 'Strike teams' of around 100 ICE agents and other federal officers are expected to be deployed. The Associated Press has confirmed the reporting.
The enforcement surge follows several fraud cases involving Somali residents accused of misusing state funds for meal disbursements, medical care, housing, and autism services. The Trump administration previously threatened to revoke temporary protected status for Somalis in Minnesota, citing the state as a 'hub of fraudulent money laundering activity.' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also announced an investigation into whether taxpayer funds were diverted to the terrorist group Al-Shabaab.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey held a press conference on Tuesday to respond to the reports, stating, 'To our Somali community, we love you and we stand with you.' He warned that the targeting of Somali people could lead to due process violations and the detention of American citizens. Minneapolis police do not assist with immigration enforcement, and the police chief said the department receives no advance notice of operations.
Minnesota is home to approximately 80,000 Somalis, most of whom are US citizens or legal residents. The community has faced increased scrutiny from right-wing figures and media outlets in recent months.
