Trump issues a surprise decision to end “temporary protection” for Somalis

US President Donald Trump announced that he will end the temporary protected status from deportation for Somalis residing in the state of Minnesota.

Trump wrote on his platform, Truth Social: “Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great state, and billions of dollars are being wasted.” He added: “I, as President of the United States, hereby, with immediate effect, terminate Temporary Protected Status for Somalis in Minnesota.”

Trump described Minnesota as a “hub of fraudulently acquired money laundering activity” under Democratic Governor Tim Walz, who responded to these allegations on the “X” platform, saying: “It is not surprising that the president decided to randomly target an entire community.”

The Temporary Protection program provides government protection to eligible foreign-born individuals who cannot return home safely due to civil war or natural disasters.

The program’s list includes 17 countries whose citizens can qualify for this status, but the Trump administration previously announced that it would cancel the temporary protection designations for a number of countries, including Venezuela and Nicaragua.

The Temporary Protection Program for Somalis was launched in September 1991 during the presidency of George H.W. A report issued by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service indicates that most Somalis in Minnesota are American citizens, and that the number of Somali-born Temporary Protected Status recipients in the United States does not exceed 705 people.