• President Trump calls Somali immigrants “garbage” amidst criticism and planned immigration crackdowns in Minnesota.
• The Somali community in Minnesota has grown significantly, closely tied to historical migration patterns since the civil war.
• Trump's focus on Somali immigrants has intensified following allegations of fraud within some community-run programs.
• Local leaders and advocates condemn Trump's rhetoric as harmful, emphasizing the community's positive contributions.
• A significant proportion of Somalis in Minnesota are legal citizens, challenging Trump's claims of criminality.

President Donald Trump has recently come under fire for derogatory remarks regarding Somali immigrants, particularly those residing in Minnesota, which is home to the largest Somali community in the United States. In a Cabinet meeting, Trump referred to these immigrants as "garbage" and suggested that he does not want them in the U.S., claiming they "contribute nothing" to society. His comments have spurred widespread criticism from local politicians and community leaders, who see this rhetoric as dangerously inflammatory and racially charged, particularly against a backdrop of rising anti-immigrant sentiments since the November fatal shooting of a National Guard soldier by an Afghan national, which Trump cited as a justification for his harsh words, according to Al Jazeera, The Hill, and India Times.

In Minnesota, where approximately 84,000 Somali residents live, most of whom are American citizens, Trump's inflammatory remarks have incited fear amidst reports of an imminent immigration enforcement operation targeting undocumented Somali immigrants, possibly inspired by recent social service fraud allegations. Despite his claims, evidence to substantiate connections between the Somali community and serious crimes, including terrorism, remains scant, with accusations often being rebuffed by community leaders who advocate for the positive contributions of Somali Minnesotans to the state, according to ABC News, The Hill, and Los Angeles Times.

As Trump's verbal attacks intensified, community responses included strong pushback from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both of whom expressed solidarity with Somali residents and condemned Trump's rhetoric as harmful and a political stunt. "Demonizing an entire community," Walz said, "is not a real solution to a problem," stressing the need to scrutinize specific cases rather than malign the entire diaspora, according to The Hill, ABC News, and Africanews.

The Somali community in Minnesota has rich roots, primarily formed by waves of immigration following the civil war in Somalia during the 1990s. Many immigrants initially settled in the small town of Marshall for job opportunities that were available, which subsequently attracted family members and other refugees over time, leading to a robust and vibrant community in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Trump's comments overlook these historical complexities and the community's resilience and contributions to local culture and economy, as noted in coverage by NPR, India Times, and Los Angeles Times.

Local Somali-Americans, including prominent figures such as Representative Ilhan Omar, have countered Trump’s allegations directly, asserting their citizenship and their community’s commitment to Minnesota. Omar, who herself shares a complex history as an immigrant from Somalia, has publicly challenged Trump’s tactics, characterizing his attacks as "creepy" and indicative of deeper issues within the political landscape. Responses from the Somali community reiterate their commitment to civic engagement and societal contributions, founding a network of support and advocacy to challenge negative stereotypes perpetuated by political rhetoric, according to NPR, ABC News, and India Times.