UPDATE: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and Minnesota leaders are urgently responding to President Donald Trump‘s shocking threat to revoke deportation protections for Somali Minnesotans. Just hours ago, Trump declared via Truth Social that he plans to terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Somali nationals “effective immediately.”
This alarming statement comes amid a backdrop of accusations regarding fraud and misconduct linked to Minnesota’s Somali community. Trump’s post claimed that Minnesota is a hub of “fraudulent money laundering activity” and suggested that Somali gangs are “terrorizing” the state, urging local authorities to “send them back to where they came from.”
According to a 2025 congressional report, approximately 705 Somalis in the U.S. currently hold TPS status, which is set to expire on March 17, 2026. While it remains unclear how many of these individuals are from Minnesota, Omar estimates the figure is around 300.
Omar vehemently refuted Trump’s claims, stating, “It is unfortunate that we are led by a president who does not understand the laws of this land.” She emphasized that Trump lacks the legal authority to terminate TPS, a sentiment echoed by civil rights advocates. “Even little kids in eighth grade know that that is not an authority that the president has and can wield,” she asserted.
The urgency of this situation escalated following a report from the conservative Manhattan Institute that alleges misappropriated funds from Minnesota’s state programs may have been funneled to Al-Shabaab, a designated terrorist organization. The report references unnamed sources, including a former member of the Minneapolis Joint Terrorism Task Force, raising alarms about potential national security implications.
In response, Senator Zaynab Mohamed articulated that Trump’s rhetoric serves as a tool for “purging” individuals like her, with TPS holders being unfairly scapegoated. “Painting an entire community with a broad brush because of the actions of a few has created an untrue narrative,” she said.
Some political figures have backed Trump’s assertions. Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth expressed gratitude for Trump’s acknowledgment of the “seriousness of the fraud problem” in Minnesota, calling for accountability for any involved individuals.
On the legal front, civil rights attorney Alec Shaw from the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) noted that TPS can only be revoked by the Secretary of Homeland Security, stating, “While this is cause for concern, it’s not a cause for panic.” He highlighted that Trump’s announcement holds no legal weight, and any attempts to terminate TPS would likely face significant legal challenges.
Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison is reportedly evaluating all legal options available to protect TPS holders, referencing previous successful litigation against similar efforts during Trump’s first term. “Multiple efforts to cancel TPS holders in the first Trump term were successfully litigated,” he stated.
As tensions rise, community leaders are expressing serious concerns about potential violence against the Somali community. Yusuf Abdulle, executive director of the Islamic Association of North America, warned that Trump’s incendiary language could incite further aggression. “We’ve had enough of violence, of politically motivated violence, and we’re not going to stand for it here in Minnesota, not anymore,” asserted Majority Leader Erin Murphy.
The situation is developing rapidly, with local leaders and community advocates rallying to protect the rights of Somali Minnesotans. As the threat from the White House looms, the need for immediate action and solidarity within the community has never been more pressing.
What’s next: Minnesota leaders are mobilizing to counteract Trump’s threats, and further legal actions are expected if attempts to revoke TPS are made. Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds, impacting the lives of hundreds in Minnesota and beyond.
