WASHINGTON — On Friday night, President Donald Trump announced his decision to immediately terminate the temporary legal protections for Somali migrants residing in Minnesota. This move is part of a broader initiative by his administration aimed at limiting deportations, a program that has faced significant scrutiny and efforts to weaken it over time.
Minnesota is home to the largest Somali community in the United States, consisting largely of individuals who fled the prolonged civil war in their home country. Many were attracted to Minnesota due to the state's robust social programs and welcoming environment. However, Trump's announcement raises questions about the actual number of migrants impacted by the termination of Temporary Protective Status (TPS), which may be relatively small. According to a report prepared for Congress in August, only 705 Somali migrants are currently covered by this program nationwide.
The Temporary Protective Status program was established by Congress in 1990 to offer protection from deportation to individuals from countries experiencing natural disasters, civil unrest, or other hazardous conditions. The TPS designation is granted by the Secretary of Homeland Security and is typically renewed in increments of 18 months.
Trump made his announcement via his social media platform, suggesting that Minnesota has become a hotspot for fraudulent activities and money laundering. In his post, he stated, "Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. It's OVER!" This statement has sparked significant backlash from community leaders and organizations.
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) expressed deep concern over Trump's decision, emphasizing that it would lead to the separation of families. Executive Director Jaylani Hussein commented on the matter, stating, "This is not just a bureaucratic change; it is a political attack on the Somali and Muslim community driven by Islamophobic and hateful rhetoric."
During his campaign to reclaim the White House, Trump had promised to deport millions of undocumented individuals, highlighting his administration's commitment to enforcing strict immigration policies. As part of this broader strategy, the Trump administration has moved to rescind protections for various immigrant groups, including the TPS status for 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians, who were granted protection under the previous administration led by President Joe Biden. Additionally, efforts to curtail protections previously extended to migrants from countries like Cuba and Syria have also been part of Trump's immigration policy initiatives.