Trump Escalates Rhetoric Against Somali Immigrants, Calls for Return to Homeland
Following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington, and a subsequent halt to asylum decisions by his administration, President Trump has intensified his criticism of Somali immigrants, publicly stating he does not want them in the United States and urging them to “go back to where they came from and fix it.” The comments, made near the end of a Cabinet meeting, represent a important escalation in rhetoric targeting the community.
Trump asserted that Somali immigrants “contribute nothing” and characterized their home country as inherently flawed, stating, “their country is no good for a reason. Your country stinks and we don’t want them in our country.” He specifically vowed to terminate temporary legal protections for Somalis residing in Minnesota, home to the largest Somali community in the U.S., a move that has sparked fear within the community and raised questions about the legality of such an action.
The President’s statements follow a series of social media posts last week where he called for somalis to be sent “back to where they came from” and alleged Minnesota is a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity.” These claims appear to be fueled by unsubstantiated allegations published in City Journal by conservative activist Christopher Rufo, citing unnamed sources, that funds stolen from Minnesota programs have been directed to al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group in Somalia.
The move to end Temporary Protected Status would impact a relatively small number of individuals – a congressional report in August estimated 705 Somalis nationwide are currently covered by the program.
Trump also renewed his long-standing criticism of Representative Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat who immigrated from Somalia as a child. He labeled her and her associates as “garbage,” stating that allowing people like her into the country would lead to “the wrong way” for the nation.
omar responded to Trump’s attacks on social media, stating, “His obsession with me is creepy. I hope he gets the help he desperately needs.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned Trump’s remarks,emphasizing the positive contributions of Somali immigrants to the city. “They have started businesses and created jobs. They have added to the cultural fabric of what Minneapolis is,” Frey said. He further argued that Trump’s rhetoric represents a “constitutional violation” and a breach of American values.
The President’s comments have drawn immediate criticism from state leaders and immigration experts, who have characterized his declaration as legally questionable and a deliberate attempt to foster suspicion towards Minnesota’s Somali community.
