'The apprehension is palpable': Minnesota's Somali community braces for immigration crackdown
Somali-Americans in Minnesota have described their heightened fear after US President Donald Trump intensified his criticism of the community this week.
Community leaders told the BBC the apprehension is palpable following Trump's remarks, in which he said he did not want Somalis in the US and the country would go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage.
When you're being targeted by the president of the United States, it's not really a good feeling, said Aj Awed, executive director of the Cedar-Riverside Community Council, significant for its large Somali population.
Reports of an enforcement operation in Minnesota targeting undocumented immigrants have further escalated concern within the community.
Awed noted that the council is contemplating the risks of holding an upcoming annual event due to fears surrounding the operations. The people affected are often those who don't speak English well, but they have been citizens for decades. Just because you have an accent does not make you less American, he emphasized.
Trump's latest disparaging comments regarding the Somali community were made during a press conference where he suggested that their home country was "no good" and expressed a desire to keep them out of the US. Awed characterized these comments as dangerous and out of line for a president, particularly when addressing fellow Americans.
These criticisms come amid an investigation into large fraud allegations linked to a charity falsely billing the Minnesota government for meals during the Covid-19 pandemic, with several Somali immigrants potentially involved. Despite the small number of implicated individuals, Trump's continuous negative rhetoric has exacerbated community tensions.
Local leaders such as Jamal Osman, a member of the Minneapolis City Council, expressed that fears are widespread among those who resonate with his ethnicity. He affirmed, Anyone who looks like me [is] scared right now, encouraging a focus on individual accountability rather than collective blame.
The Trump administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali residents has prompted local organizations to prepare for heightened enforcement activities. Kowsar Mohamed, a community member, highlighted the observable presence of ICE in Minneapolis, stating that people are being asked about their residency status on the streets, resulting in community anxiety.
Community organizations like Monarca are stepping up efforts to legally educate citizens on their rights during federal immigration activity, while also setting up communication networks to share critical information swiftly.
In contrast to fears about race-based targeting, the Department of Homeland Security insists that enforcement actions are strictly focused on individuals without legal status. Nevertheless, the atmosphere remains tense as Somali-Americans strive for clarity and safety amidst looming threats of deportation.
