U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Friday that he is ordering an immediate end to Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals living in Minnesota, a decision that accelerates the phase-out of a humanitarian program first introduced in 1991 under President George H.W. Bush.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed—without providing evidence—that Minnesota was grappling with “Somali gangs” and large-scale financial crimes. He also alleged that “billions of dollars are missing,” though federal and state authorities have not confirmed any such findings.
“Effective immediately, I am terminating the TPS designation for Somalis in Minnesota,” Trump wrote, tying the move to his broader criticisms of the state’s Democratic leadership.
Governor Walz Condemns Move as Politically Motivated
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz quickly pushed back, saying on X that the president’s statements demonized an entire community. “This is what he does to change the subject,” Walz wrote, calling Trump’s remarks part of a pattern of scapegoating minorities for political gain.
Trump’s comments appeared to reference unverified media stories—circulated by some Republican lawmakers—suggesting that the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab may have benefited from fraud schemes investigated in Minnesota. No major law-enforcement agency has substantiated those allegations.
TPS Background and Impact
TPS grants temporary protection from deportation to foreign-born individuals whose home countries face armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. Somalia has been on the list since 1991 due to decades of conflict and humanitarian crises.
Although Minnesota is home to one of the largest Somali diasporas in the United States, most Somali Minnesotans are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and are not affected by the TPS change. According to the Congressional Research Service, only 705 Somali nationals nationwide currently hold TPS status—far fewer than the numbers seen in other TPS-eligible groups such as Haitians (over 330,000) or Salvadorans (over 170,000).
Under the Biden administration, Somali TPS protections had been extended through March 17, 2026, before Trump’s announcement.
Community Leaders Warn of Legal and Diplomatic Repercussions
Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, condemned the decision and said it risked separating families and destabilizing community members who have complied with all legal requirements.
“These are legal immigrants,” Hussein said. “They should not be used as political leverage.”
Abshir Omar, a political strategist and Trump supporter, said he anticipated immediate legal challenges. He also warned that the move could complicate U.S. relations with Somalia, which earlier this year offered Washington exclusive access to strategic airfields and port facilities and signaled interest in partnering with American companies to develop its oil reserves.
Source:Africa Publicity
