Minneapolis / Twin Cities — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched operations in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area targeting Somali immigrants, including those with final deportation orders, according to reports.
The operations follow sharply critical remarks by President Donald Trump, who recently called Somali immigrants “garbage” and described Somalia as “a place with nothing,” comments that sparked widespread outrage within the Somali-American community.
Community organizations in Minneapolis say the raids have already caused widespread fear among Somali families, with some residents avoiding public spaces and others seeking urgent legal advice. Advocacy groups told local media that legal hotlines have seen a surge in calls in recent days, particularly from green-card holders and refugees who worry they may be mistakenly targeted amid the intensified political climate.
Local journalists have also reported increased ICE visibility near Somali-majority neighborhoods and housing complexes, though federal officials have not confirmed specific locations. Attorneys assisting affected families say the tense environment surrounding Trump’s remarks is worsening anxieties, warning that aggressive enforcement actions could deepen mistrust between authorities and one of the state’s largest immigrant communities.
Community leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, condemned the raids, stating that police will not assist in targeting the Somali community and emphasizing that such actions threaten civil rights and community trust. Somali-American advocacy groups have also warned that the operations risk unfairly targeting an entire ethnic and religious group.
With Minnesota home to the largest Somali-American population in the U.S., tens of thousands of residents are now facing heightened anxiety over possible detentions, even among lawful residents and citizens.
Federal authorities insist the operations focus only on undocumented immigrants, but civil-rights advocates caution against racial profiling and stress the potential social and political consequences of broad enforcement actions.
