Somali Immigration to Minnesota: Origins, Growth, and Recent Political Discourse
Minnesota hosts the largest Somali population in the U.S. This community has recently been the subject of statements from President Trump.
Recent Political Statements
On Tuesday, President Trump referred to Somali immigrants as "garbage" and expressed a desire for them to "return to where they came from." He reiterated comments on Wednesday, stating, "they've destroyed our country and all they do is complain, complain, complain." These statements followed prior threats by President Trump, made less than two weeks earlier, to remove temporary legal protections from Somali migrants residing in Minnesota.
President Trump and other conservatives have also cited criminal investigations and news reports concerning alleged fraud within Minnesota's social services system, some of which reportedly involved Somalis. These instances have been referenced in broader comments about the community.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is reportedly planning an immigration enforcement operation targeting Minnesota and its Somali population, according to reports from The Associated Press and other outlets.
Establishment and Growth of the Community
Approximately 80,000 individuals of Somali descent currently reside in Minnesota, with about 78% of them living in the Twin Cities area, according to data from Wilder Research.
Author Ahmed Ismail Yusuf, who wrote "Somalis in Minnesota," notes that the initial settlement did not begin in the Twin Cities. Some of the first Somali immigrants to arrive in the U.S. in the late 1990s settled in Marshall, Minnesota, located approximately 150 miles west of Minneapolis.
Somalia was experiencing a civil war at the time, leading to a large-scale exodus from the country. Some refugees found employment at a meat-packing plant in Marshall. Information about these job opportunities spread, leading more Somali refugees to arrive in the region. They secured positions in sectors such as hospitality and transportation, contributing to the formation of a significant Somali community in and around the Twin Cities.
According to Yusuf, those who were hired subsequently brought their families, leading to further community growth. Factors attracting Somali refugees to Minneapolis and St. Paul included Minnesota's reputation for "martisoor," meaning hospitality in Somali. Yusuf also stated that the state's "liberal attitude and social behavior" was perceived to align with the immigrants' values.
Community Challenges and Contributions
The Minnesota Historical Society notes that some Somali refugees encountered challenges in their transition to life in Minnesota, including barriers related to the practice of their Islamic faith, such as daily prayers and the wearing of a hijab by Muslim women. The society further indicates that the Somali population has addressed issues related to its association with Islamic extremism, following instances where the community was targeted for recruitment by ISIS over a decade prior.
Yusuf stated that the Somali population in Minnesota has continued to grow and contribute to the state. He commented, "Right now, wherever you go, still we're serving the people, we are serving the community, we are serving the state."
Political Figures and Responses
In 2018, Minnesota Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, a refugee who fled Somalia as a child, became the first Somali American elected to Congress.
President Trump stated on Wednesday that Omar "shouldn't be allowed to be a congresswoman," adding, "I'm sure people are looking at that. And she should be thrown the hell out of our country." In response to Trump's earlier comments, Omar posted on social media Tuesday, stating, "His obsession with me is creepy. I hope he gets the help he desperately needs."
In 2019, Trump tweeted that she was one of four congresswomen who should "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came." At a rally following this tweet, Trump paused as some attendees chanted: "Send her back."
Yusuf characterized the Somali community as being "a bit under siege" by the Trump administration, while also noting support from Twin Cities leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. Yusuf commented, "We are dealing with this, but we are not dealing with it alone."