Imagine waking up in a country you call home, only to find federal agents knocking on doors, raiding places of worship, and patrolling communities simply because of your ethnic background—this is the chilling reality facing many Somalis in Minnesota right now.
Members of Minnesota's Somali community have been raising alarms, claiming that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have already kicked off enforcement actions in the state. To put it simply, ICE is a federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, and its presence here has stirred up deep concerns among residents. Minneapolis Councilman Jamal Osman, who himself has Somali roots, shared his worries in an interview with ABC News last Wednesday. He described how everyday spots—like classes where people learn English as a second language, religious sites, and even private homes—have become unexpected targets for these operations.
This unfolding situation arrives at a tense moment, following comments made by President Donald Trump during last Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. Trump singled out Minnesota's significant Somali population, which includes many who fled conflict in their home country, and stated he didn't want them in America, claiming they "contribute nothing." For beginners navigating immigration topics, it's helpful to know that Somalia, a nation in northeastern Africa, has endured decades of civil unrest, prompting many to seek refuge in the U.S. for safety and opportunity. Osman's reaction was heartfelt: "This is not the America that I imagine," he said. "What we're seeing is not just politics; it's dangerous."
The councilman explained that even individuals with solid legal standing—like those holding social security numbers, work permits, or awaiting asylum hearings—are feeling the pressure. Astonishingly, this includes U.S. citizens of Somali descent. Fear has gripped the community to the point where people hesitate to step outside their doors. Osman advises everyone of Somali heritage to keep passports handy at all times. "I never knew there would come a day when you'd have to show legal documents in the United States just because you look Somali," he told ABC News on Wednesday. "But the reality is, folks aren't leaving home without their passport anymore."
On Thursday, ICE reported through the Associated Press that their Minnesota operation had led to the arrest of 12 individuals. Among them, six were Mexican nationals, five hailed from Somalia, and one from El Salvador. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, didn't provide an immediate update on the arrest tally when ABC News reached out. Amiir Harun, an immigration lawyer with Somali background based in Minneapolis, spoke to ABC News on Wednesday, noting that the overwhelming majority of Somalis in Minnesota are either U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or those with documented asylum claims.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin emphasized to ABC News on Wednesday that the agency focuses on upholding national laws. "What makes someone a target of ICE is not their race or ethnicity, but the fact that they are in the country illegally," she stated. "We do not discuss future or potential operations." She didn't address ABC News' inquiry about whether ICE actions had already begun in Minnesota.
Harun recounted a troubling incident involving one of his clients, who holds permanent resident status in the U.S. On Tuesday, ICE agents showed up at her home and stayed for three hours while she proved her legal right to be there, leaving her overwhelmed with anxiety and dread. But here's where it gets controversial—Trump's blunt words from that Cabinet meeting, where he said, 'I don't want them in our country; I'll be honest with you. Somebody will say, 'Oh, that's not politically correct.' I don't care. I don't want them in our country. Their country is no good for a reason. Their country stinks... And we're going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country.'
Osman expressed deep sadness when asked about the president's remarks on his community. "The fear of having the entire nation just look and see us, and look at us as garbage and less human," he shared. "No human is garbage."
This came just before House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican, announced in a statement obtained by ABC News on Wednesday that his committee is launching an investigation into allegations of fraud tied to Minnesota's Somali community. A New York Times piece from November 30 shed light on claims from law enforcement officials, revealing that over the past five years, some individuals within the Somali diaspora set up businesses that charged state agencies millions for social services that were never actually delivered. Prosecutors estimate the total fraud at around $300 million, with about 78 defendants still facing ongoing cases, per the Associated Press.
Osman acknowledged that wrongdoing might have occurred among a select few. "There is a process of justice," he told ABC News on Wednesday. "There's that process, but we should not be having the whole entire community blamed."
Minnesota State Sen. Zaynab Mohamed pointed out the scale in an interview with ABC News on Friday: "There are over 80,000 people in Minnesota who are Somalis. So we're talking about few people who have committed crimes." She highlighted the valuable contributions of the community, saying, "We are your doctors, your nurses. We are the people who are taking care of your parents while you go to work."
And this is the part most people miss when discussing immigration debates—these aren't just statistics; they're stories of families building lives here. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey echoed this in a Thursday press conference, describing the Somali community as an integral part of the city's "fabric" that makes it "a better place." He noted scattered reports of federal agents engaging in what he called "terrorizing" activities.
Comer sent letters to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison requesting documents for the inquiry. He expressed concerns about how the administration "allowed millions of dollars to be stolen." Walz, in a press conference on Thursday, vowed to pursue justice for the fraud but stressed it shouldn't involve broad generalizations or racism. "You can do that without being racist and vile and putting people at risk," he said. "You can do that without canceling programs that improve people's lives because a few people took advantage of the system."
Attorney General Keith Ellison didn't hold back on social media, posting on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday: "Donald Trump's disgraceful attacks on Minnesota's Somali community are injecting more of his poisonous racism into our beloved home state. Hearing him single out our people based solely on their race and country of origin is downright disgusting."
Minnesota boasts the largest Somali population in the U.S., with approximately 87,000 residents, many arriving since the 1990s to escape Somalia's long-standing civil war. Trump has also threatened to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis—a legal protection from deportation for immigrants from countries facing crises, affecting about 705 Somalis nationwide, as Harun explained.
Harun drew parallels to historical patterns of ethnic targeting in America, mentioning groups like Italians, Irish, Japanese, Native Americans, and African Americans. "This country has a history of different ethnic groups being targeted at different times... This is just what's happening to the Somali community," he said. "I would just urge all of us to stand together and to defend. When one of us is attacked, we're all being attacked."
In a time when immigration policies spark heated debates, this story raises big questions: Should a whole community be painted with the brush of a few bad actors? Is Trump's rhetoric fair, or does it dangerously fuel division? And how can we balance enforcing laws with protecting vulnerable groups? We'd love to hear your thoughts—what do you agree or disagree with here? Drop your comments below and let's discuss!
ABC News' Justin Fishel, Hannah Demissie, Lauren Peller, Isabella Murray, Alexandra Fine, Oren Oppenheim, and Michael Pappano contributed to this report.
