Trump targets Somali community as ICE plans minnesota enforcement operation

Wednesday 03 December 2025 - 16:06

By: Sahili Aya

Trump targets Somali community as ICE plans minnesota enforcement operation

US President Donald Trump has expressed strong opposition to Somali immigrants in the United States, stating they should "go back to where they came from," while ICE reportedly prepares a targeted enforcement operation in Minnesota's Twin Cities, home to one of the largest Somali communities in the country.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump described Somalia as "barely a country" and criticized its government structure, adding that Somali immigrants should not be in the US. His comments coincide with reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to focus on undocumented Somali immigrants in Minnesota, potentially affecting hundreds of people.

Local officials and community leaders have raised concerns that such an operation could unfairly impact American citizens of Somali descent. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey warned that due process might be violated if enforcement actions proceed as reported.

Trump also criticized Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, the first Somali-American elected to the US Congress, calling her "incompetent" and claiming she "hates everybody." Omar responded on social media, describing the president’s focus on her as “creepy” and expressing concern for his well-being.

The Somali government has downplayed Trump’s remarks, urging the public not to give them undue attention. While DHS has emphasized that ICE targets are based on immigration status, not ethnicity, the Somali-American community in Minnesota—estimated at 80,000 individuals, most of whom are US citizens—remains concerned about potential racial profiling and the broader implications of the operation.