Trump Ends Temporary Protected Status for Somali Immigrants
President Donald Trump announced late Friday the immediate termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals residing in Minnesota, a move that will impact thousands of immigrants who have lived in the state under the program since its inception in 1991. The decision comes amid explosive allegations of widespread fraud and criminal activity within Minnesota’s Somali community, as detailed in a recent investigative report.
Trump’s Announcement
In a late-night post on Truth Social, Trump cited rampant fraud and alleged criminality as the driving force behind his decision:
“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!”
His remarks referenced a City Journal report that accused Minnesota’s Democratic leadership of failing to curb fraud, with billions in taxpayer dollars allegedly funneled to the terrorist group Al-Shabaab in Somalia.
Allegations of Fraud and Terror Financing
According to federal counterterrorism sources cited in the report, millions of stolen funds have been sent from Minnesota to Somalia, where they allegedly support Al-Shabaab. The report claims, “The largest funder of Al-Shabaab is the Minnesota taxpayer,” highlighting the gravity of the accusations.
Governor Tim Walz’s administration has come under increasing federal scrutiny, particularly over the state’s Housing Stabilization Services program. Temporary commissioner Shireen Gandhi requested federal assistance to terminate the Medicaid-funded program, citing “credible allegations of fraud” and “exponential growth in spending”—from $2.6 million in 2017 to $107 million by 2024.
Feeding Our Future Scandal
Minnesota has also been rocked by the Feeding Our Future scandal, the largest pandemic-era fraud prosecution in the U.S. The case involved 75 defendants, 50 of whom have pleaded guilty to diverting federal reimbursements meant for child nutrition programs to personal purchases such as luxury cars and real estate.
Recently, Khadar Adan, a Lakeville businessman, was sentenced to probation and restitution for allowing a fraudulent food distribution site to operate out of his Minneapolis business center. His co-defendants received far larger sums, including Liban Yasin Alishire, who admitted to receiving over $1.6 million.
Additionally, a former campaign associate of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) pleaded guilty last month to participating in the same scam, adding political controversy to the unfolding scandal.
Political and Community Reactions
Trump’s move is expected to have deep ramifications for Minnesota’s Somali community, the largest in the United States. The decision has already drawn criticism from immigrant advocacy groups and progressive lawmakers, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, who responded on X (formerly Twitter).
Governor Walz’s office has yet to issue an official statement, but the administration faces mounting pressure over its handling of welfare and housing programs amid the ongoing federal investigations.
What Is Temporary Protected Status?
TPS is a humanitarian program established in 1991 under President George H. W. Bush, allowing nationals from countries experiencing armed conflict or natural disasters to live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation. The abrupt termination of TPS for Somalis marks a dramatic shift in policy and raises questions about the future of similar protections for other communities.
Conclusion
President Trump’s termination of TPS for Somali nationals in Minnesota signals a hardline approach to immigration and fraud, with deep implications for thousands of residents and the broader community. As federal investigations continue and legal cases unfold, Minnesota’s Somali community faces uncertainty and heightened scrutiny.
