Trump escalates attacks on Somali community, says he wants them to “go back” and “fix” their homeland
President Donald Trump has sparked outrage after declaring he does not want Somali immigrants living in the United States, insisting they contribute “nothing” and should return to their homeland. His remarks, delivered during a lengthy Cabinet meeting at the White House, mark one of his most direct attacks yet on the Somali diaspora a community that has been part of American life for more than three decades.
Trump claimed Somalis rely too heavily on the U.S. social safety net and provide little benefit to the country, comments that made no distinction between refugees, legal residents or naturalised American citizens. He went further still, saying: “Their country is no good for a reason. Your country stinks and we don’t want them in our country.” The remarks have deepened alarm within Minnesota’s large Somali population, many of whom arrived as refugees in the 1990s and have since become business owners, teachers, public servants and community leaders.
The outburst followed days of heightened rhetoric from the administration. Last week the White House announced a halt to all asylum decisions after two National Guard soldiers were shot in Washington. Although the suspect was originally from Afghanistan, Trump used the incident to raise questions about immigrants from multiple countries, including Somalia. He also renewed his pledge to end temporary legal protections for Somalis living in Minnesota a move legal experts say is likely to face immediate court challenges.
In recent weeks Trump has intensified attacks on Rep. Ilhan Omar, the Minnesota Democrat who arrived in the U.S. from Somalia as a child. His latest criticism comes after conservative activist Christopher Rufo published unverified allegations in City Journal, claiming that money stolen from Minnesota welfare programmes had been funnelled to al-Shabab, the militant group that controls parts of Somalia. No evidence has been produced to support the claim, but the president has amplified the accusation repeatedly.
Trump’s rhetoric has sent shockwaves through Somali American communities, where many fear a return to the climate of hostility that defined much of his first term. Community organisations report a surge in calls from anxious residents worried about deportation threats and a breakdown in trust between immigrant families and local authorities.
Minnesota politicians have condemned the president’s comments as xenophobic and dangerous, warning they risk fuelling harassment and violence. They also point out that Somali Americans have long played a significant role in state life, contributing to healthcare, transport, retail and public service. Many Somalis have fled civil war, instability and famine and have built new lives in the U.S. through education, work and civic engagement.
Trump’s critics note that repeatedly linking entire immigrant communities to crime or extremism has been a hallmark of his political strategy. His remarks, they argue, serve to energise supporters who favour hard-line immigration policies while deepening social divisions. For Somali Americans, the renewed spotlight has reopened old wounds from previous attempts to restrict immigration and reduce refugee admissions.
As the administration considers moving ahead with its pledge to revoke legal protections, constitutional scholars say it remains unclear whether the White House has the authority to implement such sweeping changes. Courts blocked similar efforts during Trump’s first term, and legal battles are expected if the policy is pushed again.
For now, Somali families across the U.S. are bracing for fallout. Many say they are exhausted by years of political attacks and worry that renewed hostility will make everyday life from attending school to running businesses more difficult. Others say they have no intention of being pushed out of the country they now call home.
