MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — President Donald Trump's latest comments regarding immigrants from Somalia have sent shockwaves through the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, home to one of the largest Somali communities in the United States. During a Cabinet meeting, Trump stated, 'They contribute nothing. I don’t want them in our country.' He later reiterated his disdain, claiming, 'Somalians should be out of here. They’ve destroyed our country.'
Hamse Warfe, a Somali-born entrepreneur from the area, firmly countered Trump's remarks. 'I am not garbage,' said Warfe, who now leads a nationwide educational nonprofit, World Savvy. 'Words matter a lot — especially when it’s the president of the United States who is talking.'
The Minneapolis-St. Paul region is home to around 84,000 individuals of Somali descent, making up nearly one-third of the Somali population in the U.S. These immigrants have been settling in Minnesota since the 1990s, drawn by the state's robust social services and an expanding diasporic network.
Trump's inflammatory comments about the Somali community follow his administration's announcement to halt asylum decisions after a shooting incident involving National Guard members, during which the suspect was originally from Afghanistan. Trump's remarks have been perceived as an attack not only on Somali immigrants but also on their American-born descendants.
Local leaders, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have expressed solidarity with the Somali community, denouncing any attempts to blame them for isolated incidents of criminal activity. Mayor Frey emphasized that Minneapolis will 'stand up for our residents,' assuring protection for the community amidst rising tensions.
The backlash against Trump's comments reflects a broader conversation about immigration, community contributions, and the crucial recognition of diverse immigrant backgrounds, especially in regions where they play vital economic and cultural roles.
