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, Aj Awed, executive director of the Cedar-Riverside Community Council, which represents a town known as Little Mogadishu for its large Somali population.
Concern has also intensified because of reports that officials have begun an enforcement operation in Minnesota targeting undocumented immigrants.
Mr Awed said the council would discuss the risks of holding an annual event scheduled for next week in-person because of the operation. The people that are getting caught up in this are people who don't speak that great of English, but who have been citizens for decades, he said. Just because you have an accent does not make you less American.
Trump made disparaging comments criticizing the Somali community at the White House on Tuesday. I don't want them in our country, I'll be honest with you… their country is no good for a reason, he said. Mr Awed said the comments were 'dangerous,' adding it was 'not becoming of a president to be just attacking other Americans.'
The Trump administration has ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali residents living in Minnesota, causing further alarm. Jamal Osman, a member of the Minneapolis City Council and a naturalised citizen, expressed that anyone who looks like him is 'scared right now.' Kowsar Mohamed, another resident, noted visible ICE activity, saying, We're seeing boots on the ground activity where folks are just being plucked off of the streets and being asked about their residency status.
Local organizations are providing training and resources to prepare residents for encounters with ICE, ensuring the community knows their rights and can respond appropriately to immigration enforcement actions.
Concern has also intensified because of reports that officials have begun an enforcement operation in Minnesota targeting undocumented immigrants.
Mr Awed said the council would discuss the risks of holding an annual event scheduled for next week in-person because of the operation. The people that are getting caught up in this are people who don't speak that great of English, but who have been citizens for decades, he said. Just because you have an accent does not make you less American.
Trump made disparaging comments criticizing the Somali community at the White House on Tuesday. I don't want them in our country, I'll be honest with you… their country is no good for a reason, he said. Mr Awed said the comments were 'dangerous,' adding it was 'not becoming of a president to be just attacking other Americans.'
The Trump administration has ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali residents living in Minnesota, causing further alarm. Jamal Osman, a member of the Minneapolis City Council and a naturalised citizen, expressed that anyone who looks like him is 'scared right now.' Kowsar Mohamed, another resident, noted visible ICE activity, saying, We're seeing boots on the ground activity where folks are just being plucked off of the streets and being asked about their residency status.
Local organizations are providing training and resources to prepare residents for encounters with ICE, ensuring the community knows their rights and can respond appropriately to immigration enforcement actions.
