Minnesota Somali Community Fears Displacement as TPS Faces Termination
MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota’s large Somali community is expressing deep concern and uncertainty following reports of a potential termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali migrants, reportedly due to fraudulent activity within the state. The move threatens the stability of families and raises fears of forced return to Somalia, a country many fled due to ongoing conflict and instability.
Minnesota is home to nearly 80,000 people of Somali descent, according to Minnesota Compass data, though estimates suggest fewer than one percent currently hold TPS status. TPS is a designation granted to individuals from countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other exceptional and temporary conditions. Somali immigrants have been eligible for TPS since 1991.
the potential termination has sparked accusations of collective punishment and ethnic profiling. Mahdi Warsama, CEO of the Somali Parents autism Network, stated, “The president doesn’t have the right to impugn the reputation of an entire community, just because a few people from that community committed a fraud. That is the textbook definition of ethnic profiling and guilty by association.”
The uncertainty is already impacting individuals. A minneapolis woman told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS her 23-year-old niece, who fled Somalia two years ago and now has TPS, ”is worried” about being sent back to a country where she fears for her safety.
Jaylani Hussein,with the Council on American-Islamic Relations for Minnesota,highlighted the potential for family separation. “For TPS holders, this is their worst nightmare,” he said. “So,most of the families are mixed status. Some are citizens, some on their way to being citizens, so this will definitely be a family separation policy.”
While the Department of homeland Security has not yet formally terminated the program, legal challenges are anticipated.
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment. Individuals impacted are already seeking legal counsel, and advocates are hoping for a reversal of course. As one Minnesota resident stated, “I wish he’d change his mind what he’s saying.Because America is a dreamland, and everybody wants to stay. and we want to stay, the people.”
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