Former President Donald Trump has declared he will immediately end immigration protections for Somali nationals living in Minnesota, escalating his administration's ongoing efforts to restrict legal migration pathways.
Immediate Termination Announced
In a social media post made on Friday night, Trump stated he was "immediately" terminating temporary protected status for Somali migrants residing in the state with America's largest Somali community. The announcement forms part of the Republican's broader push to adopt hardline immigration policies since returning to campaign for the White House last year.
Trump made the declaration on his Truth Social platform, accompanying it with unsubstantiated claims about Minnesota being "a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity." He further alleged that "Somali gangs are terrorising the people of that great State" and demanded authorities "Send them back to where they came from."
Limited Impact Despite Dramatic Announcement
Despite the sweeping nature of Trump's announcement, official figures suggest the practical impact might be relatively small. A Congressional report from August revealed that only 705 Somali nationals nationwide currently benefit from Temporary Protected Status protections.
Minnesota has become home to the United States' most significant Somali community, with many residents having fled prolonged civil conflict in their East African homeland. The state's robust social programmes and welcoming environment have historically attracted displaced families seeking stability and opportunity.
Broader Pattern of Immigration Restrictions
This latest move continues the Trump administration's systematic approach to dismantling various immigration protections that permit foreign nationals to remain and work legally in America. The pattern mirrors previous actions targeting other migrant groups from nations experiencing turmoil.
The Trump administration has already moved to withdraw TPS from approximately 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians who received protection under President Joe Biden's administration. Additional restrictions have been proposed for migrants from Cuba and Syria, among other countries designated for special status.
Congress established the Temporary Protected Status programme in 1990 specifically to prevent deportations to countries suffering from natural disasters, armed conflict, or other extraordinary dangerous conditions. The Homeland Security Secretary holds authority to grant TPS designation in 18-month increments based on ongoing assessments of safety conditions in home countries.
During his current presidential campaign, Trump has repeatedly promised to deport millions of people if returned to office, signalling that immigration restriction will remain a cornerstone of his political agenda moving forward.
