Trump Ends Temporary Deportation Protections for Somalis in Minnesota

In a move that has raised strong reactions, former President Donald Trump announced on November 21, 2025, that he is immediately terminating the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals living in Minnesota.

What Trump Is Saying

Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump accused Somali immigrants of being involved in “terrorizing” activities. He claimed, without providing detailed evidence, that:

“Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing.”

He also accused Minnesota, which has one of the largest Somali communities in the U.S., of being a “hub of fraudulent money laundering activity.”

He concluded: “Send them back to where they came from … It’s OVER!”

What Is TPS and Who Is Affected

TPS is a federal program that protects foreign nationals in the U.S. when their home country is unsafe due to war, disaster, or other crises.

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Somalia’s TPS designation was valid through March 17, 2026 before this announcement.

Despite Minnesota’s large Somali population, only around 705 Somalis nationwide are documented as benefiting from TPS.

Political & Community Response

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was sharply critical: in response to Trump’s post, he said on social media that targeting the Somali community was a “broad attack,” implying the move was politically motivated.

Jaylani Hussein, the Executive Director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), strongly condemned the decision, calling it “a political attack on the Somali and Muslim community.”

Legal experts warn that Trump’s claim of immediate termination may face significant legal challenges, as TPS termination typically involves a formal process.

⚖️ Why This Move Matters

For the affected individuals, losing TPS could mean deportation or loss of legal work status in the U.S.

The decision underscores a broader push by Trump to dismantle immigration protections, including actions he’s previously taken against TPS for other countries.

The controversy is likely to reignite immigration debates nationally, especially regarding racial, religious, and refugee communities.