Federal authorities are reportedly gearing up for an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota that will primarily target Somali immigrants living unlawfully in the U.S. This operation comes amid an alarming escalation in President Donald Trump's rhetoric regarding this particular community, raising fears of increased profiling and wrongful detentions.
According to insiders familiar with the planning, the operation is expected to begin in the coming days and will primarily focus on individuals in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area with final orders of deportation. Immigration agents will spread across the Twin Cities to conduct this high-priority sweep. Community leaders and local officials are expressing concern that the operation will heighten already existing tensions.
President Trump recently stated during a Cabinet meeting that he does not want immigrants from Somalia in the country, suggesting that they are overly reliant on the U.S. social safety net and contribute little to society. His comments highlighted a pattern of harsh rhetoric directed at the Somali community, suggesting they have “caused a lot of trouble.”
Minnesota has the largest Somali community in the United States, many of whom fled civil unrest in Somalia and were drawn to the state for its supportive social programs. However, the prospective immigration operation may target hundreds of individuals, further complicating their already precarious situations.
Local officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have openly opposed collaborating with federal agents on immigration enforcement, deeming it not their responsibility. Mayor Frey emphasized that targeting what he describes as Somali people can lead to due process violations and the wrongful detention of American citizens who merely resemble those being targeted.
In a firm response to the operation, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security maintained that the agency enforces immigration laws strictly based on legal status and not ethnicity. The anticipated operation is expected to follow similar precedents set by previous immigration sweeps, raising concerns about the adequacy of protections for the members of the Somali community and other immigrant groups.
While community leaders are quick to defend the majority of Somali individuals in Minnesota who are citizens, fearing broader repercussions against the immigrant community, the rhetoric from federal officials and the President only complicates the situation further. Activists warn that such actions mark a continued attack on minority communities, adding to a tense atmosphere across Minnesota.
