ICE ramps up operations in Minnesota as Trump advocates for stricter measures against Somali immigrants

This week, federal immigration authorities launched intensified operations in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region, a U.S. official told CBS News, concentrating on an area with a significant Somali immigrant population. The enforcement efforts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are expected to focus on individuals in the Twin Cities with active deportation orders. The full scale and timeline of the operation remain unclear.

The crackdown aligns with President Trump's repeated criticism of Minnesota's Somali community, which he frequently cites in support of his administration's broader deportation initiatives. During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump described Somali immigrants in derogatory terms and stated that they "contribute nothing" to the United States, expressing a desire to exclude them from the country.

Recently, the Trump administration paused all immigration proceedings, including citizenship ceremonies, for individuals from Somalia and 18 other countries affected by its travel restrictions. It has also ordered a review of green cards issued to immigrants from these nations. In addition, Trump announced plans to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali immigrants in Minnesota, alleging, without evidence, that Somali gangs are causing violence in the state. The TPS program for Somalia is scheduled to expire in March 2026, though no formal termination notice has been issued by the Department of Homeland Security.

Trump has highlighted a longstanding public assistance fraud case in Minnesota involving mostly Somali defendants accused of defrauding the state of hundreds of millions of dollars in food aid, housing, and autism services. The president has criticized Democratic Governor Tim Walz for the issue, claiming Somali migrants have exploited the state. Walz and members of the Somali community have condemned Trump's statements as racist and false. Somali entrepreneur Hamse Warfa responded, emphasizing his pride as an American citizen.

Minnesota hosts one of the largest Somali populations in the United States, numbering around 76,000, or just over 1% of the state's population, according to 2024 Census data. The community largely grew after Somalias civil war in the early 1990s, with refugees settling in Minnesota for safety, employment, education, and support from nonprofit networks. Most Somali Minnesotans are now American citizens, with over half born in the U.S. and another 42% naturalized. Fewer than 5% remain non-citizens.

The planned termination of TPS is expected to affect a relatively small number of people. Federal data indicate just over 700 Somali immigrants had TPS approval as of March, with Minnesota home to 430 of these individuals in 2023.

Author: Noah Whitman