Somali National Deported from US Returns to Mogadishu Amid Security Concerns

Mahad Mohamud, a 36-year-old Somali national, was deported from Minneapolis, United States, to Mogadishu, Somalia, last month. Mohamud, known by the TikTok handle "Garyaqaan," had accumulated nearly half a million followers on the platform while residing in the US. His online presence included discussions where he defended his clan's interests.

Allegations and Asylum Claim

Prior to his deportation, Mohamud was accused by the X account "Rapid Response 47" of involvement in the kidnapping of French officials in Mogadishu. Mohamud denied the allegation, stating he was not in Mogadishu at the time, and the case was subsequently dropped without conviction. His detention by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency reportedly followed the leakage of his address by another TikTok user.

ICE officials cited two cases against him: illegal entry into the country and the kidnapping allegation. The kidnapping case was investigated by the FBI, which, according to Mohamud, cleared him after questioning.

Mohamud's journey to the US began over a decade ago, involving a period in South Africa until 2021, where he reported being assaulted in a xenophobic attack. He then traveled to Brazil before entering the US without documentation via the Mexican border. Upon entry, he was detained for one month before being released with a work permit, contingent on his active asylum case.

Life in the US and Deportation Process

In Minneapolis, Mohamud worked as an Uber driver. His TikTok activities provided a steady income through fan contributions. During his time in the US, he reportedly received death threats from the Somalia-based Islamist militant group al-Shabab due to his public defense of the Somali government. These threats formed a basis for his asylum application in the US.

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, where he states he was held for six months. Three of these months were spent awaiting a decision on his asylum case, and the remaining three pending deportation. His asylum claim was denied, with authorities concluding he would not be in danger in Somalia.

His deportation flight involved a small plane with seven other deportees and guards. The journey included stops in Costa Rica, Senegal, and Nairobi, Kenya, before arriving in Mogadishu. Mohamud stated he was placed in a restraining jacket during parts of the journey, which was removed in Nairobi before being handcuffed for the final leg to Somalia.

Return to Somalia and Security Concerns

Upon his return to Mogadishu, Mohamud was reunited with his three children after a decade. Despite this reunion, he has expressed fears for his safety due to continued death threats received via text messages from al-Shabab. He has implemented additional security measures and resides in a protected home.

Mohamud was welcomed by members of his clan and local politicians upon his return, attributed to his social media profile.

Broader Context for Somali Immigrants

Former President Donald Trump previously indicated intentions to terminate temporary protection status and made statements regarding Somali immigrants, suggesting they return to their home country. These comments followed reports of fraud in Minnesota's social assistance program, in which some Somali immigrants were implicated.

Following these remarks, social media videos depicting immigration agents in Minneapolis, a city with a substantial Somali community, circulated, reportedly causing apprehension. Five young Somali men with temporary protected status described moving from their rented apartment due to fears of ICE tracing their address, resulting in missed work and food scarcity.

Another anonymous Somali man, who had entered the US illegally after fleeing drought in rural Somalia, was also deported after 18 months in custody. He reported incurring approximately $20,000 in costs to reach the US and now faces financial hardship and lack of employment opportunities in Somalia, leading him to consider further migration.