US President Donald Trump has stated he does not want Somali immigrants in the US, telling reporters they should 'go back to where they came from' and 'their country is no good for a reason.' 'I don't want them in our country, I'll be honest with you,' he said during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Trump argued that the US 'would go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country.' His comments surge alongside reports of an enforcement operation by immigration authorities in Minnesota, which is home to a large Somali community.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the impending immigration operation as potentially unjust, emphasizing that it could unfairly target American citizens. With approximately 80,000 individuals of Somali descent residing in the Twin Cities, local leaders expressed their opposition to such policing strategies. The criticism from local government officials reflects a broader concern about the implications of racial profiling and the protection of civil liberties.
Trump's remarks were accompanied by derogatory statements about Somalia itself, which he characterized as being in disarray. He also targeted Representative Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American congresswoman whom he has clashed with multiple times. Omar responded to Trump’s remarks by characterizing his fixation on her as 'creepy' and called for him to seek help.
The situation escalated this week as ICE has reportedly been directed to focus on undocumented Somali immigrants, with hundreds expected to be apprehended soon. The Department of Homeland Security maintains that their actions are not based on ethnicity but on legal status. However, local officials in Minnesota are concerned about the operational approach taken by ICE, which may conflate legal immigrants with those who are undocumented.
Trump's immigration policies have intensified recently, highlighting his administration's commitment to restrict entry from nations he deems problematic. His controversial approach to immigration, particularly towards communities with significant Somali populations, has drawn substantial backlash. As reactions unfold, the implications of his presidency on immigration policy continue to be a divisive topic in ongoing American political discourse.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the impending immigration operation as potentially unjust, emphasizing that it could unfairly target American citizens. With approximately 80,000 individuals of Somali descent residing in the Twin Cities, local leaders expressed their opposition to such policing strategies. The criticism from local government officials reflects a broader concern about the implications of racial profiling and the protection of civil liberties.
Trump's remarks were accompanied by derogatory statements about Somalia itself, which he characterized as being in disarray. He also targeted Representative Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American congresswoman whom he has clashed with multiple times. Omar responded to Trump’s remarks by characterizing his fixation on her as 'creepy' and called for him to seek help.
The situation escalated this week as ICE has reportedly been directed to focus on undocumented Somali immigrants, with hundreds expected to be apprehended soon. The Department of Homeland Security maintains that their actions are not based on ethnicity but on legal status. However, local officials in Minnesota are concerned about the operational approach taken by ICE, which may conflate legal immigrants with those who are undocumented.
Trump's immigration policies have intensified recently, highlighting his administration's commitment to restrict entry from nations he deems problematic. His controversial approach to immigration, particularly towards communities with significant Somali populations, has drawn substantial backlash. As reactions unfold, the implications of his presidency on immigration policy continue to be a divisive topic in ongoing American political discourse.
