Trump announced the move on Nov. 21 via Truth Social, claiming—without evidence—that Somali gangs were “terrorizing” the state and that “billions of dollars are missing.” Minnesota hosts 63,192 residents of Somali ancestry as of 2023, the largest concentration in the country.

Temporary deportation protections shield individuals from removal when returning to their countries is unsafe due to conflict or instability. Somalia’s protection window had been valid through March 17, 2026, according to federal immigration authorities.

President Declares Immediate Termination

Trump said he was “terminating, effective immediately” the protections and claimed Somali gangs were “terrorizing” Minnesota. He also accused the state—without proof—of being a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity” and added, “Send them back… It’s OVER!”

Federal data show 705 Somali nationals in the U.S. were registered under the protection program as of March 31.

Minnesota Officials and Community Push Back

Gov. Tim Walz said it was “not surprising that the President has chosen to broadly target an entire community.” CAIR-Minnesota called the move “a political attack on the Somali and Muslim community driven by Islamophobic rhetoric.”

Somali Americans have established major business districts, attend Minnesota’s universities in large numbers, and hold elected positions in city councils, the state legislature, mayoralties, and the U.S. Congress.

A Community Under Longstanding Pressure

Minnesota’s Somali community has faced racial and religious tensions, vandalism, violent threats, and local opposition to refugee resettlement, even as many residents have been welcoming. U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar has frequently been a target, including of Trump’s own rhetoric.

The administration has also sought to end similar protections for Afghan, Venezuelan, Syrian, and South Sudanese nationals, though several efforts have been challenged in court.