Somali Man Deported from US Cites Safety Concerns
Mahad Mohamud, a 36-year-old Somali national, was deported from Minneapolis, US, to Mogadishu, Somalia, last month. Known as "Garyaqaan" (judge) on TikTok, where he had nearly half a million followers, Mohamud's social media presence focused on defending his clan's interests within Somalia's TikTok sub-culture.
Deportation and Allegations
In October, an X account named "Rapid Response 47" accused Mohamud of involvement in the kidnapping of French officials from a Mogadishu hotel. Mohad Mohamud denied the allegation, stating he was not in Mogadishu at the time and that the case was dropped without conviction. He attributes his detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to a rival TikToker who reportedly leaked his address.
ICE informed Mohamud of two cases against him: illegal entry into the US and the alleged kidnapping. The FBI investigated the kidnapping claim and cleared him. However, this did not prevent his deportation.
Journey to the US and Asylum Claim
Mohamud's journey to the US began over a decade ago, first taking him to 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. After a month in detention, he was released with a work permit due to an active asylum case.
He subsequently settled in Minneapolis, where he worked as an Uber driver and developed his TikTok presence, generating income from fan contributions during live streams. His asylum claim in the US included threats received from the Somalia-based Islamist militant group al-Shabab, reportedly due to his online defense of the Somali government.
Arrest, Detention, and Return
Mohamud recounted his arrest by immigration agents in early May, followed by detention at ICE headquarters and later Kandiyohi County Jail Prison in Willmar, Minnesota, for six months. He stated three of these months were spent awaiting an asylum decision and three awaiting deportation. Authorities denied his asylum claim, rejecting the assertion that he would face danger in Somalia.
His deportation flight involved transfers through Costa Rica, Senegal, and Nairobi, Kenya. Mohamud reported being restrained with a jacket and handcuffs during parts of the journey. Upon his return to Mogadishu, he was reunited with his three children after a decade.
Post-Deportation Concerns
Mohamud states he continues to fear for his life due to text messages containing death threats from al-Shabab. He has implemented security precautions at his residence and when in public, without detailing specifics of the threats for safety reasons. His return was met with a welcome from members of his clan and local politicians, attributed to his TikTok profile.
Broader Immigration Context
Recently, then-President Donald Trump indicated intentions to terminate temporary protection status, which shields individuals from deportation to unsafe home countries. Earlier this month, he made statements about Somali immigrants in the US, suggesting they "go back to where they came from." These comments followed charges against dozens of individuals, including some Somali immigrants, in connection with an alleged large-scale fraud scheme involving a social assistance program in Minnesota during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following Trump's remarks, social media videos emerged appearing to show immigration agents conducting visits in Minneapolis and St. Paul, cities with significant Somali communities. This has reportedly caused alarm among the estimated 80,000 Somali residents, the largest such community in the US.
Impact on Other Individuals
The article highlights other instances of Somalis facing deportation or living in fear. Five young Somali men in Minneapolis reportedly vacated their rented apartment due to fears of ICE tracing their address, leading to missed work and food insecurity.
Another anonymous young Somali man, deported to Mogadishu after 18 months in US custody, described struggling to rebuild his life. He illegally entered the US via the Mexican border after leaving rural Somalia due to drought. He reported spending approximately $20,000, much of it borrowed, to reach the US and now faces unemployment and a lack of opportunities in Somalia, leading him to consider re-migration.