President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he does not want Somali immigrants in the United States, claiming they depend too much on public assistance and do not contribute to the country.
His remarks, directed at an entire immigrant community, are the latest in a series of attacks on the Somali diaspora. Somalis have settled in states such as Minnesota for decades, many arriving as refugees. Trump did not differentiate between U.S. citizens and non-citizens.
The comments came days after the administration halted all asylum decisions following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington. The suspect in that case is from Afghanistan, but Trump linked the incident to immigrants from other countries, including Somalia.
“They contribute nothing. I don’t want them in our country,” Trump told reporters at the end of a Cabinet meeting. He added that Somalis should “go back to where they came from” and fix their own country.
Trump has repeatedly targeted Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat who arrived from Somalia as a child. Last week, he intensified his criticism after a conservative activist, in an article based on unnamed sources, alleged that money stolen from Minnesota programs had gone to al-Shabab, the militant group operating in Somalia. The allegation has not been substantiated.
In a social media post last week, Trump vowed to send Somalis “back to where they came from,” calling Minnesota “a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity.” On Tuesday, he said Somalis in the U.S. should return to “fix” Somalia.
Trump also pledged to end temporary legal protections for Somalis living in Minnesota, though experts questioned whether the White House has the authority to enforce the plan as described. According to a report for Congress in August, only 705 Somalis nationwide are covered by Temporary Protected Status.
State officials and immigration advocates criticized Trump’s comments, calling them divisive and legally questionable. Many said the remarks unfairly targeted Minnesota’s Somali community, which is one of the largest in the country.
Trump again attacked Rep. Omar, calling her and her supporters “garbage.” Omar responded on social media, saying Trump’s “obsession” with her was “creepy” and that she hoped he would receive the help he needs.
Trump also claimed Somali immigrants “do nothing but complain” and are not interested in contributing to the United States.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey rejected Trump’s comments. He said Somali immigrants have strengthened the city by opening businesses, creating jobs, and enriching its cultural identity.
“To villainize an entire group is wrong under any circumstances,” Frey said. “The consistency with which Donald Trump does this raises serious questions about constitutional values and violates the moral principles we stand by as Americans.”