Minneapolis prepares for Trump's ICE crackdown on Somalis
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President Trump is targeting Twin Cities Somalis for his next immigration crackdown.
Why it matters: The planned deployment of 100 ICE agents to Minnesota starting this week, as the New York Times reported, represents an escalation of Trump's social media posting about Somalis in recent days.
- "They contribute nothing. I don't want 'em in our country," he said Tuesday.
Driving the news: Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said her agency will be targeting visa fraud in the state, where around 87,000 people with Somali roots live.
Catch up quick: The Somali community has seen recent scrutiny from national media covering fraud, as well as from Trump, who posted last week that he wanted to end temporary protective status for Somalis.
- "Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. It's OVER!" he posted.
The other side: "When ICE agents interact with Somalis here, they will find what we've been saying for years: Almost all of us are U.S. citizens," state Sen. Zaynab Mohamed (DFL-Minneapolis), said in a statement. "This act of political theater is a waste of taxpayer money and will result in the harassment of peaceful American citizens trying to go about their day."
Zoom in: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said his police department, which includes Somali officers, will not collaborate with federal agencies doing immigration enforcement.
- "Our values and our commitment to the Somali community, to every community of immigrants and people in our city, is rock solid and will be unwavering," Frey said at a press conference.
Gov. Tim Walz responded on X, saying, "We welcome support in investigating and prosecuting crime. But pulling a PR stunt and indiscriminately targeting immigrants is not a real solution to a problem."
State of play: Reports of the immigration operation come as the federal government intensifies its scrutiny into the DFL-led state. In the last 48 hours:
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said his agency will investigate allegations that money stolen from social services programs "may have been diverted" to the Al-Shabaab militant group in Somalia.
- Similar claims about stolen state funds flowing to Al-Shabaab surfaced in 2018, in the context of fraud targeting a child care assistance program. The nonpartisan legislative auditor launched an investigation at the time but wasn't able to substantiate the allegations.
- Federal prosecutors have said the dozens of defendants charged in the recent schemes were motivated by greed, not ideology. None have faced terrorism financing charges so far.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy threatened to withhold over $30 million in federal highway funding over concerns that commercial drivers' licenses were improperly issued.
Small Business Administration head Kelly Loeffler ordered an investigation into COVID-era small business relief sought by "Somali organization and executives" implicated in Feeding Our Future and other fraud scandals.
Friction point: Walz, who says the state "followed the law" on issuing CDLs, suggested Tuesday that the administration's actions were retaliation for the barbs he and Trump have been trading online and in public comments.
- "Strange coincidence that the President goes on a rant and uses a slur against me, and I just asked him to do what every other president has done, release his medical records, and now they bring this in," he said.
What we're watching: Whether protesters meet the ICE operations, like they did earlier this year in Minneapolis and just last month in St. Paul.