Trump says he’ll immediately end Somali TPS; AP cites 705 affected nationwide
President Trump said he would "immediately" terminate Temporary Protected Status for Somali nationals, accusing Minnesota of being a "hub" of fraudulent money laundering and claiming Somali gangs are "terrorizing" the state; the AP cites an August report estimating just 705 Somali nationals hold TPS nationwide. Minnesota leaders, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, say the president does not have unilateral authority to end TPS or target one state, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem says any review will follow the law and apply nationwide with a required 60‑day notice, and advocates note Minnesota has more than 37,000 Somali-born residents but only a few hundred currently hold TPS.
📌 Key Facts
- President Trump posted that Somali TPS protections will be ended "immediately," and accused Minnesota of being a "hub of fraudulent money laundering" and of being terrorized by "Somali gangs."
- An AP report cited by Twin Cities estimates only 705 Somali nationals hold TPS nationwide.
- Minnesota has the nation's largest Somali community (more than 37,000 Somali‑born residents); reporting estimates roughly 400–500 Somali TPS holders in Minnesota (about 0.5% of Somali Minnesotans).
- TPS is designated by DHS in 18‑month increments; Somali TPS is currently set to expire in March 2026, and a 60‑day notice period is required after expiration before impacts take effect.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said DHS is reviewing Somali TPS, will follow the law, and any decision to revoke TPS would apply nationwide rather than only to Minnesota.
- Rep. Ilhan Omar said the president does not have unilateral authority to end TPS or to end it only for one state; Minnesota DFL leaders held a Nov. 24 rally denouncing Trump's call, and Omar said she would work to help Somali TPS holders adjust status before the scheduled March end date.
- Local advocates said anti‑Muslim content has spread online tied to recent fraud coverage (alleged by CAIR‑MN), and DHS recently announced removal of Myanmar TPS effective Jan. 26 — a decision Human Rights Watch disputed — illustrating ongoing, contested reviews of TPS designations.
📰 Sources (4)
Minnesota DFL leaders respond to Trump’s attacks on Somali Minnesotans
New information:
- Minnesota DFL leaders, led by Rep. Ilhan Omar, held a rally at the State Capitol on Nov. 24 denouncing Trump’s call to end Somali TPS.
- Omar said she would work to help Somali TPS holders adjust status before TPS’s scheduled March end date.
- DHS Sec. Kristi Noem said in Minnesota that the department will evaluate revoking Somali TPS and that a 60-day notice would be required.
- Article estimates about 400 Somali TPS holders in Minnesota (~0.5% of Somali Minnesotans), providing local scale.
- CAIR-MN’s Jaylani Hussein alleged a coordinated online campaign spreading anti-Muslim content tied to recent fraud coverage.
- Noem announced TPS will be removed for Myanmar effective Jan. 26, per an official release; Human Rights Watch disputed the U.S. assessment.
Rep. Omar says Pres. Trump doesn't understand the protected status law for Somalis
New information:
- Rep. Ilhan Omar said the president does not have unilateral authority to end TPS and cannot end TPS only for one state.
- FOX 9 reports TPS for Somalis is currently set to expire in March 2026, with a 60-day period after expiration before impacts take effect.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, speaking in Minneapolis, said DHS is still reviewing Somali TPS, will follow the law, and any decision would apply nationwide, not just Minnesota.
- FOX 9 cites that while more than 37,000 Somali-born people live in Minnesota, only about 500 currently hold TPS.
Trump says he’s terminating legal protections for Somali migrants in Minnesota
New information:
- AP cites an August report to Congress estimating only 705 Somali nationals are covered by TPS nationwide.
- Trump’s post says protections will be ended 'immediately' and labels Minnesota a 'hub of fraudulent money laundering,' asserting 'Somali gangs are terrorizing' the state.
- Context reminder: TPS is designated in 18‑month increments by DHS; Minnesota hosts the nation’s largest Somali community.