Trump Expresses Hostility Towards Somali Immigrants Amid Planned ICE Operation in Minnesota

Thu Dec 04 2025 15:31:37 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

President Donald Trump openly criticizes Somali immigrants, expressing his wish to exclude them from the U.S. This statement aligns with reports of an impending ICE operation targeting undocumented Somali individuals in Minnesota.

In a recent cabinet meeting, President Trump remarked that he does not want Somali immigrants in the U.S., suggesting they should go back to their country. His comments coincide with the announcement of a planned ICE operation in Minnesota, targeting undocumented Somali immigrants—a community that has been significantly impacted by his administration's immigration policies. Local officials have condemned these actions, arguing that they could violate due process and affect many American citizens.

US President Donald Trump has made headlines after stating he does not wish for Somali immigrants to reside in the United States, suggesting during a cabinet meeting that they should go back to where they came from and criticizing their home country as no good for a reason.

His rhetoric follows reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is set to conduct an enforcement operation in Minnesota's sizable Somali community. This operation has raised concerns among local officials who warn it could lead to the wrongful detention of American citizens who are perceived to be Somali.

I don't want them in our country, I'll be honest with you, Trump said, indicating that the U.S. would be heading in the wrong direction by allowing immigrants he referred to as garbage to enter. The comments are part of a broader pattern of Trump's attacks on Minnesota's Somali community and the politicians representing them.

The Somali Prime Minister responded by urging that Trump's remarks should not be taken seriously and that such comments reflect a larger trend of disparaging statements directed towards African nations.

A planned ICE operation is expected to target hundreds, as officials in Minnesota argue this could disproportionately affect the large Somali population in the Twin Cities, where the Somali community is the largest in the country. Mayor Jacob Frey has condemned the operation, asserting it will violate due process rights, while others express concern that the targeting may sweep up many U.S. citizens.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing national tensions surrounding immigration and highlights Trump's continued focus on undocumented immigrants as part of his administration's crackdown on immigration enforcement.