Minneapolis Somali Community Faces Anxiety as Immigration Agents Target Twin Cities

Minneapoliss Somali markets appeared lively and ordinary: men in barber chairs, women browsing vibrant boutiques, and patrons enjoying traditional Somali dishes, while the faint call to prayer played over speakers. Yet beneath this normalcy, unease was pervasive. Residents carried documents and passports more cautiously as news spread of an immigration crackdown targeting the Somali diaspora in the Twin Cities, home to the largest Somali population in the U.S.

A new Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation focused on undocumented Somali immigrants has started in Minneapolis and St. Paul. These cities join a series of blue city targets where federal agents have increased deportation efforts, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and New Orleans. The Somali community, already under strain from derogatory comments by the President, has shown signs of anxiety, with lower foot traffic in local malls and some businesses closing temporarily.

At Karmel Mall, south of downtown Minneapolis, a young man named Fawzi described the atmosphere as tense. I feel scared, he said. Imagine sitting in your car and someone approaches, saying, Yo, you gotta come with me. The mall, decorated with Somali flags and offering services from visa assistance to henna, reflected a central hub for Somali life in the city.

At 24 Somali Mall, Mayor Jacob Frey visited to reassure residents. A woman showed him her green card out of fear, despite being a U.S. citizen for 25 years. Meanwhile, outside the mall, armed federal agents questioned a man panhandling on the street, checking his identification. The man, a U.S. citizen, noted the agents aggressive behavior despite having the proper documents.

Mayor Frey emphasized that most of Minneapoliss Somali population, over 80,000 people, are citizens or legal residents, with only a small number on Temporary Protected Status, a designation threatened under the current administration. Residents are increasingly carrying identification to avoid potential confrontations. Local business owners, like Kamal Ali, take precautions, keeping passports handy during routine trips to local markets.

To protect residents, Frey signed an executive order barring federal, state, and local law enforcement from using city property to stage immigration operations. The order also provides guidance for businesses to mark their property as off-limits to such enforcement.

Community members expressed hurt over disparaging comments from the President. Abdul Abdullahi, who operates an employment office in 24 Somali Mall, said, Its very unfortunate for someone in the highest office to demean an entire community. While some Somali residents support Trump, they acknowledged that his rhetoric increases tension and divisiveness in their neighborhoods.

Critics highlighted that the majority of Somalis in Minnesota are U.S.-born or naturalized citizens, and that criminal activity by a few should not justify targeting the entire community. Mayor Frey stressed, If someone committed fraud, they should be held accountable, but you do not punish an entire community for the actions of a few.

Temporary Protected Status has protected Somali residents since 1991 due to instability and ongoing conflict in Somalia. Many in the community fear losing these protections amid the heightened federal enforcement actions and political rhetoric targeting their population.

Author: Gavin Porter