Trump Ends TPS for Somalis in MinnesotaTrump Ends TPS for Somalis in MinnesotaTrump Ends TPS for Somalis in Minnesota: What This Means for the Community

 

Trump Ends TPS for Somalis in Minnesota

On November 21, 2025, former President Donald Trump made a startling announcement: he is immediately terminating the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali immigrants in Minnesota, a move that has drawn sharp criticism and raised serious legal and humanitarian questions. 

What Is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?

TPS is a discretionary program created by the U.S. Congress in 1990 to protect individuals from countries experiencing conflict, environmental disaster, or other hardships that make return unsafe.  Under TPS, beneficiaries can legally live and work in the U.S., with their status renewed in increments—typically 18 months at a time. 

Somalia’s TPS designation dates back to 1991, due to the ongoing civil war.  Despite its long standing, the number of Somalis currently benefiting under TPS is quite limited: a Congressional report estimates only 705 Somalis nationwide are protected. 

What Trump Says — And Why He’s Cutting TPS

Trump justified his decision with strong rhetoric. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, he labeled Minnesota “a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity” and alleged that “Somali gangs are terrorizing the people” in the state, claiming “billions of dollars are missing.”  He declared, “Send them back to where they came from … It’s OVER!” 

These claims, however, have not been substantiated publicly with concrete evidence, and critics argue that they reflect a broader agenda.

Reaction From the Somali & Muslim Community

Minnesota has the largest Somali community in the U.S., many of whom came as immigrants or refugees fleeing war and instability.  The Minnesota branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) strongly condemned the move. Jaylani Hussein, its Executive Director, described it as “not just a bureaucratic change; it is a political attack … driven by Islamophobic and hateful rhetoric.” 

There is deep concern that the termination will tear families apart and destabilize communities that have established themselves over decades. 

Legal and Policy Implications

Experts are already questioning the legality of Trump's announcement. According to the Migration Policy Institute, immediately ending TPS without adequate notice could violate legal norms; they note that federal law typically requires at least 60 days’ notice. 

Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who is Somali-American, have also criticized the move as discriminatory and likely to face legal challenges. 

This decision also aligns with Trump’s broader immigration strategy: his administration has previously targeted TPS protections for individuals from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, and Syria. 

Real Impact: How Many People Are Affected?

While the rhetoric is strong, the practical impact may be more limited than some imagine. With only ~705 Somalis covered under TPS nationwide, the number of people directly affected is relatively small. 

Still, for those individuals and their families, the consequences could be severe. Losing TPS means losing legal protection from deportation, which could force some to return to unstable conditions in Somalia.

The Bigger Picture

Political Motivations: Many view Trump's decision as politically charged, especially coming ahead of potential future campaigns. The framing of Somali migrants in terms of crime and fraud resonates with broader hardline immigration narratives.

Humanitarian Concerns: Even if the number of TPS holders is low, the broader Somali-American community in Minnesota includes many U.S. citizens and long-term residents. Critics argue the move unfairly stigmatizes an entire community.

Legal Battle Likely: Given past litigation over TPS designations (such as for Venezuelans), legal experts expect this policy change to be challenged in court.

Conclusion

Donald Trump’s immediate termination of TPS for Somalis in Minnesota is a dramatic policy shift that combines immigration enforcement with fiery political rhetoric. While the number of people directly affected is small, the symbolic and human consequences could be very large—tearing at the social fabric of a community that has long called Minnesota home. As legal battles loom and the public reacts, this move underscores the deep divisions over immigration in America.