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President Trump launched a scathing criticism of Somali migrants in Minnesota during his ninth Cabinet meeting of 2025 on Tuesday, referring to them as “garbage” who he claims rely excessively on welfare programs.
The president’s remarks come amid reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may be planning increased immigration enforcement operations in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. According to The New York Times, ICE is preparing for an “intensive immigration enforcement operation” targeting the Twin Cities region, though Department of Homeland Security officials have pushed back on characterizations that the operation would specifically target Somali immigrants.
“ICE enforces the laws of the nation across the country. What makes someone a target of ICE is not their race or ethnicity, but the fact that they are in the country illegally,” said Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, who declined to discuss potential future operations.
During the Cabinet meeting, Trump directed particular criticism at Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, calling him “grossly incompetent” in light of recent fraud allegations involving state programs. The New York Times has reported on several alleged fraud schemes within Minnesota’s Somali community, where individuals reportedly created companies that billed the state for millions in fraudulent payments.
Walz defended his administration’s handling of these programs to The Times, stating: “The programs are set up to move money to people… to improve people’s lives, and in many cases, the criminals find the loopholes.”
The president’s comments extended to Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat representing Minnesota’s 5th congressional district, which includes Minneapolis. Trump characterized Omar, who was born in Somalia and came to the United States as a refugee, as the political figurehead of the Somali community in Minnesota.
“Ilhan Omar is garbage – her friends are garbage,” Trump stated during the meeting. “When they come from hell, and they complain and do nothing but bit** — we don’t want them in our country. Let ’em go back to where they came from and fix it.”
The president also revisited long-standing allegations that Omar married her brother to obtain U.S. citizenship, claims that Omar has repeatedly denied and characterized as “absurd and offensive.” The congresswoman’s personal life and marriage history have been the subject of political controversy since her rise to prominence in Minnesota politics in 2016.
Omar responded to Trump’s comments on social media platform X, writing: “His obsession with me is creepy. I hope he gets the help he desperately needs.”
The tensions over immigration enforcement in Minnesota reflect broader national debates about immigration policy under the Trump administration. The Twin Cities region has one of the largest Somali communities in the United States, with many residents having arrived as refugees fleeing civil war and instability in Somalia since the 1990s.
The Somali community has become an integral part of Minnesota’s cultural and economic landscape, establishing businesses, community organizations, and gaining political representation. However, integration challenges and occasional fraud cases have complicated the community’s standing, particularly in the increasingly polarized political environment.
Immigration enforcement has been a cornerstone of Trump’s policy agenda during both his administrations. His recent characterization of Somali immigrants follows a pattern of controversial statements about various immigrant communities throughout his political career.
As ICE potentially prepares for increased enforcement activities in Minnesota, community advocates and local officials are monitoring the situation closely, concerned about potential impacts on immigrant communities and possible disruptions to community relations with law enforcement.
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14 Comments
While immigration is a complex issue, the president’s comments about the Somali community are highly problematic. I hope the authorities will take a fair, fact-based approach that upholds the rights and dignity of all residents, regardless of their background.
Responsible leadership is crucial in addressing immigration challenges. Inflammatory rhetoric that targets specific ethnic groups is divisive and unproductive. The authorities should focus on objective enforcement of the law, not scapegoating.
While immigration policy is complex, the president’s disparaging comments about the Somali community are troubling. I hope the authorities will take a measured, fact-based approach that upholds the rights and dignity of all residents, regardless of their background.
Agreed. Responsible leadership and an impartial, lawful approach are essential when addressing immigration challenges. Scapegoating specific ethnic groups is divisive and undermines the rule of law.
The president’s remarks about the Somali community are highly concerning and risk fueling discrimination. I hope the authorities will take a fair, fact-based approach that respects the rights and dignity of all residents, regardless of background.
Agreed. Inflammatory rhetoric and targeting specific ethnic groups is unacceptable. I hope the authorities will focus on objective enforcement of the law, not scapegoating vulnerable populations.
This rhetoric seems concerning and divisive. While immigration enforcement is a complex issue, targeting specific communities based on ethnicity is deeply problematic. I hope the authorities will focus on facts and the rule of law, not inflammatory rhetoric.
I agree, the president’s comments appear to be stoking tensions rather than promoting constructive dialogue. Responsible leadership is needed to address immigration challenges in a measured, lawful way.
While immigration is a complex issue, the president’s comments seem dangerously divisive. I hope the authorities will take a measured, lawful approach that respects the rights and dignity of all residents, regardless of their ethnicity or immigration status.
I share your concerns. Responsible leadership is needed to address immigration challenges in a fair and constructive manner, not through inflammatory rhetoric that targets specific communities.
The reported plans for increased immigration enforcement in Minnesota, coupled with the president’s divisive rhetoric, are deeply concerning. I hope the authorities will uphold the rule of law in a measured, impartial manner that respects the rights of all residents.
I agree. Any enforcement actions should be carried out fairly and without discrimination. Targeting specific ethnic communities based on inflammatory rhetoric is unacceptable and counterproductive.
The reported plans for increased immigration enforcement in Minnesota are concerning, especially given the president’s divisive rhetoric targeting the Somali community. I hope the authorities will focus on facts and the rule of law, not ethnic scapegoating.
Agreed. Any enforcement actions should be carried out in a lawful, impartial manner that respects the rights of all residents. Singling out specific ethnic groups is unacceptable and counterproductive.