Trump Revokes Key Citizenship Protections for Tens of Thousands of Somali Residents, Sparking Immigration Crisis
In a sudden and seismic shift to U.S. immigration policy, President Donald Trump has revoked Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for tens of thousands of Somali nationals living legally in Minnesota and across the country. The move, announced Friday night via Truth Social, has sent shockwaves through legal communities, advocacy organizations, and the Somali-American families now facing urgent threats of deportation.
The Executive Order: Ending TPS for Somalis
President Trump’s order targets the TPS program for Somalis—a humanitarian protection first enacted in 1991 under President George H. W. Bush, allowing Somali nationals fleeing civil war and instability to live and work in the United States. Trump’s statement was blunt and direct:
“Minnesota, under Governor Waltz, is a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity. I am, as President of the United States, hereby terminating, effective immediately, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota. Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER!”
The Immediate Impact: Families in Chaos
The revocation of TPS instantly strips Somali immigrants of a vital defense against deportation. Legal experts warn that, without TPS, tens of thousands of individuals—including children and families who have lived in the U.S. for decades—are now at risk of removal. Advocacy organizations and attorneys are scrambling to advise affected families on their rights and next steps.
Immediate Actions for Affected Individuals:
1. Contact Immigration Attorneys: Seek urgent legal counsel to explore alternative forms of relief, such as asylum, adjustment of status, or other humanitarian protections.
2. Update Documentation: Ensure all immigration paperwork is current, and gather documentation of U.S. ties (employment, education, family).
3. Prepare for ICE Enforcement: Know your rights if approached by immigration authorities. Prepare an emergency plan for family members.
4. Community Support: Engage with local advocacy groups for resources, legal clinics, and emotional support.
The Allegations: Fraud and Terrorism
Trump’s order comes amid a wave of allegations and investigative reporting about widespread fraud in Minnesota’s welfare programs, some allegedly perpetrated by members of the Somali community. Reports claim that millions in stolen taxpayer dollars have been funneled to terrorist organizations in Somalia, specifically Al-Shabaab.
Recent cases—including the massive Feeding Our Future fraud prosecution—have added fuel to the controversy. Federal prosecutors have charged dozens of individuals with stealing pandemic relief funds, some of which were allegedly sent overseas or used for personal luxury purchases.
Political Fallout and Community Response
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.)—whose district includes the nation’s largest Somali community—have condemned the move. Omar responded on X, calling the decision “cruel, baseless, and a direct attack on families who have contributed to Minnesota’s success.”
Civil rights organizations and legal scholars say the order is unprecedented, warning it could violate both due process and humanitarian norms. The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) described the move as “an extraordinary and devastating rollback of established protections.”
Legal and Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
The true scale of the crisis is only beginning to emerge. Families who have spent decades building lives in the U.S. now face the prospect of sudden removal to a country many have not seen since childhood—or never at all.
Legal experts predict a flood of emergency filings, lawsuits, and appeals in federal courts. Community leaders warn of widespread fear, economic disruption, and a humanitarian disaster if removals proceed at scale.
What’s Next?
– Legal Challenges: Expect immediate court battles over the legality of Trump’s order and its impact on due process and humanitarian protections.
– Congressional Response: Lawmakers from both parties will face pressure to address the crisis, potentially through new legislation or oversight hearings.
– Community Mobilization: Somali-American organizations are calling for nationwide protests, legal aid efforts, and emergency relief for affected families.
