Washington D.C. – Somdaily.com — U.S. President Donald J. Trump has set off a wave of alarm and condemnation after announcing that his administration is revoking Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals residing in the United States. The decision disproportionately impacts the Somali community in Minnesota, home to the largest concentration of Somalis in the country.
In a sharply worded post on his social media platform, President Trump stated:
“Somali gangs are terrorising the people of that great state, and billions of dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER!”
The announcement directly threatens more than 700 Somali immigrants currently protected under TPS, many of whom have lived lawfully in the U.S. for years. The majority reside in Minnesota, including recent arrivals still awaiting long-term immigration status or citizenship.
Somali Communities Worldwide Express Deep Concern
The decision has sent shockwaves through Somali communities across the United States, Europe, and the Horn of Africa, with many fearing that the move could lead to widespread deportations and the separation of families.
TPS is traditionally reserved for citizens of countries suffering from armed conflict, natural disasters, or severe instability. Somalia’s decades-long insecurity has kept it on the TPS list for over 30 years.
Legal analysts warn that revoking TPS without a clear humanitarian or legal justification could face immediate court challenges, but the uncertainty has already unsettled thousands of Somali households.
Ilhan Omar Responds Forcefully
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, one of the most prominent Somali-American leaders and a longtime critic of Trump’s immigration stance, issued a swift and pointed response to the President’s remarks.
She wrote:
“I’m a citizen and so are majority of Somalis in America. Good luck celebrating a policy change that really doesn’t have much impact on the Somalis you love to hate. We are here to stay.”
Her statement has gone viral, energizing Somali communities and allies who say Trump’s policy frames an entire community through inflammatory rhetoric rather than evidence.
A New Era of Uncertainty for Somali Immigrants
Community organizations in Minnesota report heightened fear and confusion, with many families seeking urgent legal guidance. Advocates warn that the revocation of TPS could have severe humanitarian and economic consequences, particularly for families who have built stable lives in America under legally granted protections.
As the political debate intensifies in Washington, immigrant-rights organizations and legal groups are preparing for what could become one of the most consequential immigration battles of the Trump presidency.