Mahad Mohamud, a 36-year-old Somali national, was deported from Minneapolis, United States, to Mogadishu, Somalia, last month. Mohamud, known as "Garyaqaan" (meaning "judge") on TikTok where he had nearly half a million followers, had resided in the US for over a decade. Upon his return, he has expressed ongoing fears for his safety due to reported death threats from the militant group al-Shabab, concerns that formed the basis of his denied asylum application in the United States. His deportation occurs amidst a broader context of statements by former US President Donald Trump regarding Somali immigrants and reports of increased apprehension within the Somali community in the US.
Background and US Residency
Mohamud's journey to the United States began over a decade ago. He first lived in South Africa until 2021, where he reported being assaulted in a xenophobic attack. Following this, he traveled to Brazil before entering the US without documentation via the Mexican border. Upon his initial entry, he was detained for one month before being released with a work permit, contingent on an active asylum case.
He settled in Minneapolis, where he worked as an Uber driver. His TikTok presence, where he discussed and defended his clan's interests, grew significantly, providing him with income through fan contributions. During his time in the US, Mohamud stated he received death threats from the Somalia-based Islamist militant group al-Shabab due to his public defense of the Somali government. These threats were a primary component of his asylum application in the US.
Allegations and Detention Process
In October, an X account identified as "Rapid Response 47," described by one source as "White House-linked," accused Mohamud of involvement in the kidnapping of French officials from a Mogadishu hotel. Mohamud denied the allegation, stating he was not in Mogadishu at the time, and the case was subsequently dropped without conviction. He claims his detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was initiated after a rival TikToker reportedly leaked his address.
ICE officials informed Mohamud of two cases against him: illegal entry into the country and the alleged kidnapping. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the kidnapping claim and, according to Mohamud, cleared him after questioning. Despite this, his deportation proceeded.
Mohamud reported being arrested by immigration agents in early May, taken to ICE headquarters, and subsequently transferred to Kandiyohi County Jail Prison in Willmar, Minnesota. He stated he was held there for six months—three months awaiting a decision on his asylum case and three months pending deportation. His asylum claim was denied, with authorities concluding he would not be in danger in Somalia.
Deportation Journey
Mohamud stated he was transferred to Arizona on multiple occasions for deportation flights, but these departures were delayed due to logistical issues. His deportation flight ultimately involved a small plane carrying seven other deportees and guards. The journey included stops in Costa Rica, Senegal, and Nairobi, Kenya, before arriving in Mogadishu. Mohamud reported being placed in a restraining jacket during parts of the journey, which was removed in Nairobi before he was handcuffed for the final leg to Somalia.
Return to Somalia and Current Concerns
Upon his arrival in Mogadishu, Mohamud was reunited with his three children after a decade. Despite this reunion, he has expressed ongoing fears for his safety due to continued death threats received via text messages from al-Shabab. He reports implementing additional security measures and resides in a protected home, opting not to detail specifics of the threats for safety reasons.
Mohamud's return was met with a welcome from members of his clan and local politicians, attributed to his social media profile. He has reportedly expressed an anticipation that his public presence may offer opportunities not available to other deported Somalis.
Broader Context for Somali Immigrants in the US
The deportation of Mohamud occurs within a period that includes public statements by former President Donald Trump. Trump has indicated intentions to terminate temporary protection status for individuals from countries deemed unsafe and has made comments regarding Somali immigrants, suggesting they "go back to where they came from" and that "their country is no good for a reason." These remarks followed reports of alleged large-scale fraud in Minnesota's social assistance program, in which some Somali immigrants were implicated.
Following Trump's statements, social media videos depicting immigration agents conducting visits in Minneapolis and St. Paul, cities with substantial Somali communities, reportedly circulated, causing apprehension among the estimated 80,000 Somali residents, identified as the largest such community in the US.
Other instances affecting Somali immigrants include:
- Five young Somali men with temporary protected status reportedly moved from their rented apartment due to fears of ICE tracing their address, resulting in missed work and food scarcity.
- Another anonymous young Somali man, who had entered the US illegally after fleeing drought in rural Somalia, was deported after 18 months in US custody. He reported incurring approximately $20,000 in costs to reach the US and now faces unemployment and a lack of opportunities in Somalia, leading him to consider re-migration.