The Trump administration has ended Temporary Protected Status for Somali migrants, and the move now puts thousands of people at risk of deportation across the country. As a result, many families in Minnesota and other states face an uncertain future.
Under the new decision, Somali nationals who relied on TPS must leave the United States by March 17, unless they qualify for another legal status. Because of this deadline, immigration lawyers expect a surge of last minute applications.
Why the Trump Administration Made the Move
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the federal government no longer sees Somalia as unsafe enough to justify TPS. According to DHS, the country’s security and political conditions have improved in recent years. Therefore, officials say Somalia no longer meets the legal standard for emergency protection.
The US first granted TPS to Somalia in 1991 after civil war tore the country apart. However, despite ongoing instability, the Trump administration has now reversed that protection.
How Many Somali Immigrants Are Affected
Federal immigration data shows that 2,471 Somali nationals currently hold TPS in the United States. In addition, 1,383 more people still wait for their applications to be processed.
Meanwhile, Minnesota hosts one of the largest Somali communities in the nation. Because of that, about 600 TPS holders in the state now face possible removal.
ICE Operations Add More Pressure
At the same time, ICE and DHS have increased enforcement in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Officials tied many of these operations to a large fraud case that involved billions of dollars.
Because of these raids, fear has spread through Somali neighborhoods. As a result, community leaders say many families now avoid schools, jobs, and even medical care.
Deadly Encounter Sparks Protests
Tensions rose sharply after a woman named Renee Nicole Good died during an ICE operation in south Minneapolis. According to DHS, she drove her car toward federal agents and tried to hit one of them. Because of that, an officer fired into her vehicle.
Secretary Noem later called Good a domestic terrorist and said she used her car as a weapon. Video footage shows agents ordering her to step out before shots rang out.
Local Officials Speak Out
After the shooting, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told ICE to leave the city. Meanwhile, Governor Tim Walz criticized DHS and said the agency pushed a misleading story about what happened.
The next day, protesters built barricades near the scene of the shooting. As a result, activists blocked streets and controlled traffic for hours. Even so, federal agents continued their operations across the metro area.
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