Trump calls Somali immigrants ‘garbage’ as US reportedly targets Minnesota community | Trump administration

Donald Trump on Tuesday called Somali immigrants “garbage” and said they should be sent home, in a speech that came as the administration would strengthen immigration enforcement against undocumented Somalis in Minnesota.

In a xenophobic speech at a cabinet meeting, Trump attacked Somalis and Ilhan Omar, the Somali representative and U.S. citizen. He said Somalia “stinks” and is “not good for a reason”.

“They don’t bring anything. I don’t want them in our country, I’ll be honest with you,” he said. He called Omar “trash” and said: “We are going on the wrong path if we continue to import garbage into our country.”

“These are people who are just complaining,” he said. “They complain, and where they come from, they have nothing. … When they come from hell and they complain and do nothing but smear, we don’t want them in our country. Let them go back to where they came from and fix it.”

The New York Times reported Tuesday that the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area, where most Somalis reside, would see intensified deportation efforts this week, focusing primarily on Somalis who have received final expulsion orders. It would use “strike teams” made up of ICE and other federal agents, drawing on about 100 agents from across the country, the Times reported. Other media outlets, including the Associated Press, have confirmed this information.

The move comes after the right took on several fraud cases, spanning several years, involving dozens of Somali residents who prosecutors say lied to the state to receive reimbursement for meals, medical care, housing and autism-related services. The Trump administration previously threatened to revoke the temporary protected status granted to Somalis in Minnesota, citing the state as a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity.”

Scott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary, also announced Monday that his agency would investigate whether Minnesota taxpayer dollars had been “diverted to the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab,” sharing a recent article from a right-wing media outlet that made such claims.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other city leaders held a news conference Tuesday to address “credible reports” of increased enforcement. Frey said the city stands with the Somali community. Minneapolis police do not assist in immigration enforcement, and the police chief said the department is not informed in advance of any operations.

“To our Somali community, we love you and we stand with you,” Frey said. “This commitment is rock solid.”

Minneapolis is home to the largest Somali population in the country, with approximately 80,000 people living in the state. Most are U.S. citizens or legal residents.

“Targeting Somalis means due process will be violated, mistakes will be made and, let’s be clear, it means U.S. citizens will be detained for no other reason than they look Somali,” Frey said.