Trump Immigration Order Sends Shockwaves Through Minnesota's Somali Community as Anxiety Deepens

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Trump Immigration Order Sends Shockwaves Through Minnesota's Somali Community as Anxiety Deepens

Minneapolis – A new immigration directive issued by U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited uncertainty and alarm within Minnesota's Somali community, one of the largest East African diasporas in the world. The executive move — wh

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Minneapolis – A new immigration directive issued by U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited uncertainty and alarm within Minnesota's Somali community, one of the largest East African diasporas in the world. The executive move — which cancels previously granted protections preventing the deportation of Somali nationals — marks one of the most dramatic shifts in U.S. immigration policy toward Somalis in recent years. Officials confirm that work permits, pending residency cases and deportation appeals may be immediately affected.

A Community Caught Off Guard

The announcement arrived without prior notice or transition period, leaving thousands scrambling to understand their legal status. Community representatives in Minneapolis say the decision has created "a climate of fear and confusion.”

Residents told Sunatimes.com that parents are afraid to send children to school, workers fear losing their jobs, and many individuals are avoiding hospitals, government offices and public spaces due to anxiety.

"We are taxpayers, business owners and students — not criminals. The government is treating us as if we do not belong,” said one Somali-American father who has lived in Minnesota for 23 years.

Legal Experts Expect a Court Battle

Immigration attorneys predict a wave of legal action aimed at blocking or delaying implementation of the order, citing concerns over:

Sudden reversal of humanitarian protections

Possible conflict with due-process requirements

Security and human rights risks for deportees

A Minneapolis-based immigration lawyer noted that, "If removals begin immediately, thousands of people could face life-changing consequences within days.”

Political and Geopolitical Ramifications

Observers say the policy could strain diplomatic relations between Washington and Mogadishu. Analysts warn that returning large numbers of vulnerable people to a fragile security environment may:

Overwhelm local support systems in Somalia

Increase displacement and humanitarian needs

Aggravate instability in parts of the Horn of Africa

Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers have called for an urgent congressional review of the president’s decision, describing it as "reckless and needlessly aggressive.” Some commentators believe the move reflects broader shifts toward hardline immigration enforcement ahead of the next election cycle.

Community Leaders Urge Calm — But Fear Remains

Mosques, legal centers and community organizations across Minnesota have begun holding emergency briefings to advise Somali residents on their rights and options. Hotlines have also been launched to help families seek legal representation.

Despite these efforts, uncertainty dominates daily life.

"This is not just a policy change — it is a human crisis,” a Somali community advocate told Sunatimes.com. "Families who have been stable for decades now feel like they are standing on quicksand.”

What Comes Next?

Experts suggest the coming weeks will determine whether the order proceeds as written or becomes bogged down in constitutional and humanitarian challenges. For now, Somali families across Minnesota are preparing for the unknown — clinging to hope while bracing for the worst.

Reported by: Dahir Abdulle Alasow

Investigative Journalist – Sunatimes.com