Minnesota Leaders Respond to Sudden End of Somali TPS Protections

(Adobe Stock via Minnesota News Connection)

(By Mike Moen. Minnesota News Connection) – Minnesota’s Somali community is reeling after the Trump administration abruptly announced it would end Temporary Protected Status for Somali nationals, a move community advocates said is already generating fear in the Twin Cities.

The president’s social media post late last week made specific mention of Minnesota, describing the state as a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity,” while alleging Somali gangs “terrorize” residents. Local advocates said the rhetoric is inflaming tensions in a state with the country’s largest Somali population.

Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Muslim civil rights group CAIR-Minnesota, said the rollback appears tied to online misinformation which surged during the election season.

“We believe the reason why TPS was terminated is because of online rhetoric to score political points and scapegoat the Somali immigrant population here in Minnesota,” Hussein contended.