The Trump administration is ending the temporary protected status designation for Somalia, a move that will affect several thousand Somalis currently living in the U.S.
“Temporary means temporary,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement.
“Country conditions in Somalia have improved to the point that it no longer meets the law’s requirement for Temporary Protected Status,” the secretary continued. “Further, allowing Somali nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to our national interests. We are putting Americans first.”
There are 2,471 Somali nationals living in the U.S. under temporary protected status and another 1,383 have pending applications, according to Fox News, which first reported the news Tuesday morning.
With the removal of the protections on Tuesday, Somalis living in the U.S. under the designation have until March 17 to leave the country.
Somalis were first granted the status in the U.S. in 1991 amid ongoing civil war in Somalia. The Biden administration renewed and extended the designation for 18 months in 2024.
The Trump administration’s decision to end the designation for Somalia follows reports of mass fraud schemes involving Somalis in the U.S., particularly in Minnesota.
A federal investigation in recent years uncovered a multimillion-dollar fraud operation involving the Minneapolis nonprofit Feeding Our Future. Officials have also found fraud in recent years in a Minnesota housing program and a program claiming to provide services to children with Autism.
A federal prosecutor recently estimated that Medicaid fraud in the state has topped $9 billion.
Of the 98 people that have been charged in Minnesota fraud cases, 85 are of Somali descent, according to the House Oversight Committee.
About 600 Somali nationals live in Minnesota under temporary protected status, Fox News Digital reports.
Most recently, online content creator Nick Shirley released a 42-minute video appearing to show daycares in Minnesota that had no children but had received millions of dollars in government funding.
“We uncovered over $110,000,000 in one day,” Shirley claimed.
The message to Somalians living in the U.S. under TPS is “clear,” according to DHS. “Go back to your own country, or we’ll send you back ourselves.”
Virginia Allen is a senior news producer for The Daily Signal and host of “The Daily Signal Podcast” and “Problematic Women.” Send an email to Virginia. Virginia on X: @Virginia_Allen5.
Democrats and the corporate media rushed to defend Somalis throughout the end of 2025 as reports emerged that they committed widespread fraud in Minnesota.
Federal prosecutors charged dozens of Somalis with stealing over $9 billion of taxpayer money intended for social services, including the nonprofit Feeding Our Future.
As more details have emerged about their fraudulent actions, Democrats accused President Donald Trump and conservatives of using Somalis as scapegoats and expressed their support for the population.
Tim Walz Pivots to Attacking White Peoples’ Crimes
In response to a question about whether Somalis should be held accountable, Democrat Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who has faced scrutiny for his handling of the fraud, immediately pivoted to saying that white men have committed several crimes.
“Look, it’s not law-abiding citizens. If that were the case, there’s a lot of white men should be holding a lot of white men accountable for the crimes that they have committed,” Walz said during a Dec. 12 press conference.
“I think for the community to maybe educate their population, because I think what you’re seeing here is there’s secondary victims in this, that there’s providers inside the community that are then victimizing the community themselves by signing them up, because when we’re going to some of these people, they’re like, I had no idea I was in this program. So I think it’s asking us then, you know, for every crime, which of course the majority being committed by white men, asking us to do more about that. I think it’s crime in general.”
Walz faced scrutiny from state officials who accused him of “willfully” disregarding “rules and laws to keep fraud reports quiet.” The governor accused President Donald Trump of engaging in a “PR stunt” and of “indiscriminately targeting immigrants” as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ramped up operations in Minnesota to detain Somali nationals.
Minnesota State Senators Tear Up as They Expresses Support for Somalis
Democrat state Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart tearfully apologized to Somalis and extended her support for them during an event at a Somali mosque on Dec. 12.
“We are heartbroken by the horrible actions of our government, and we want you to know that at the state level, we will do all that we can to support you. Whether you live in our district or not, we are here,” Stewart said through tears. “We are 100% committed to helping you. You are welcome here, you belong here and we are here for you. I apologize, I have to leave for another commitment.”
Democrat state Sen. Steve Cwodzinski then praised diversity and stated that America is a nation of immigrants.
“That’s what America is all about. We’re not a nation of ‘we’re all the same.’ We’re a nation of immigrants. We’re a nation of diversity. That’s our strength, not our weakness,” Cwodzinski said. “I really don’t know what to say.”
Their statements came after Trump referred to Somalia as a “garbage” country during a Dec. 8 Cabinet meeting. He also said that many Somalis, such as Democrat Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, had no appreciation for the U.S. despite giving them everything.
In response to the fraud, the administration has also cracked down on detaining and deporting Somalis in the U.S. illegally. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Wednesday that Trump supports denaturalizing any Somali convicted of the crimes.
Ilhan Omar Claims Trump Is Only Angry About Somali Fraud Because He’s Racist
Democrat Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar said Trump does not want Somalis in the U.S. because he is “bigoted” and “Islamophobic.”
“The president has always had very bigoted, xenophobic, Islamophobic comments when it comes to, you know, people who are of Muslim faith or people who are black. We’ve seen him call African nations as ‘shitholes.’ So it’s not really surprising,” Omar said. “But what is weird to me is just how creepy he’s been obsessed with me and the Somali community.”
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar condemned President Trump’s recent comments about Somalis and said his focus on her is “creepy.” pic.twitter.com/mXLC0N1hve
Omar, a Somali immigrant, has defended Somalis by saying they think of themselves as Americans and pay taxes. She has urged people not to blame the Somali community for the actions of a few.
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent alleged on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” that individuals charged with stealing from Minnesota’s “Feeding Our Future” donated to Omar’s campaign. Omar denied any wrongdoing.
Democrat Minneapolis Mayor Says Somalis Are ‘Welcome’ In His Community
After Trump condemned the fraud and cracked down on Somalis, Democrat Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey affirmed his support for Somalis, saying they are part of the city’s “family.”
“Minneapolis is proud to be home to the largest Somali community in the country. They are our neighbors, our friends, and our family — and they are welcome in our city. Nothing Donald Trump does will ever change that,” Frey said.
Minneapolis is proud to be home to the largest Somali community in the country. They are our neighbors, our friends, and our family — and they are welcome in our city. Nothing Donald Trump does will ever change that. pic.twitter.com/3DmvQ4jRov
Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor Wears Hijab on Television
Minnesota Democrat Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan appeared on the TV station, Somali TV of Minnesota, on Dec. 26 wearing a hijab, stating that Somalis are “part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota.”
“My name is Peggy Flanagan. I’m the lieutenant governor of Minnesota and I’m really honored and humbled to be here with you all today. I am incredibly clear that the Somali community is part of the fabric of the state of Minnesota,” Flanagan said.
Boston’s Mayor Claims Somalis Are Responsible For City’s ‘Every Achievement’
Democrat Boston Mayor Michelle Wu stated that “hate has no place in our society” without expressing any criticism for the crimes committed by the Somali population.
“You cannot talk about any achievement that the city of Boston has had in safety, jobs, and economic development, in education, without talking about the Somali community that has lifted our city up. We are proud and we are grateful for our Somali community and for our Somali American neighbors. Boston and the country are clear that hate has no place in our society,” Wu said.
“We will use every attack to actually strengthen and expand the services available, to empower and work alongside our community members who are already doing so much good in the world and setting the example for the rest of the country,” she continued.
MS NOW Analyst Laments How Somalis Are Allegedly Being ‘Scapegoated’
MS Now political analyst Mara Gay said on “Morning Joe” that Somalis were victims of the so-called far-right’s anti-immigrant narrative. She also downplayed the significance of the fraud by saying that these types of actions are “not unique to politics.”
“Let’s recall too that there’s also other scandals in other states,” Gay said. “For example, the Mississippi welfare scandal. This is not unique to politics. Americans know that. But of course, the other factor here is that because it looks like the Somali population in Minnesota, the Somali immigrant population may have been involved in some way, those people are being scapegoated.”
“And that community is being scapegoated in a way that certainly serves the far right. And so, that’s also something to keep an eye on. And that’s inappropriate, absolutely,” Gay added.
More reports of fraudulent crimes committed by Somalis have continued to emerge. While a majority of those stealing from social programs are Somali, YouTube Nick Shirley released a documentary on Dec. 26 which indicated that Somali daycare centers that receive taxpayer money are not actually providing any services.
CNN’s Abby Phillip Claims Somalis Are ‘Under Attack’
CNN anchor Abby Phillip criticized Shirley for exposing the daycare centers for their alleged fraud, saying that the population is “under attack” and receiving threats.
“But, you know, honestly, you knock on the door of a daycare center, and you’re like, let me in, let me in. What do you expect people to do? You know, in some of those cases, there were children in there. What do you want people to do in that situation? Open the door and say, come on in. When they know that the Somali community is under attack, is being threatened every single day, what is going on here?”
Politico Reporter Makes Thinly Veiled Threat to Nick Shirley
Politico senior legal affairs reporter Josh Gerstein claimed in a Monday X post that citizen journalists like Shirley could be shot under “stand your ground” laws.
“At some point, the amateur effort to knock on doors of home daycares intersects with robust stand-your-ground laws,” Gerstein said.
At some point, the amateur effort to knock on doors of home daycares intersects with robust stand-your-ground laws
Minnesota is not a “stand your ground” state, but instead imposed a “duty to retreat” before using force, according to the United States Concealed Carry Association.
CNN Publishes Article About Somali Community’s ‘Anxiety’
CNN published an article on Dec. 4 titled, “Anxiety grips Somali community in Minneapolis as ICE agents zero in on the Twin Cities,” which claimed that Somalis in Minnesota were living in fear because of Trump’s crackdown.
“A young man working at a bakery at the Karmel Mall south of downtown Minneapolis said the shopping center on Tuesday night was dead compared to usual. The man, who only gave his first name, Fawzi, said he is nervous even though he was born in Minneapolis, CNN wrote.
The article detailed how Somali shops in the area were deserted and how many were carrying IDs and papers in case they were confronted by immigration officials. It also quoted local Somalis condemning Trump’s statement about them.
The outlet wrote a separate piece on Dec. 7, which said that Somalis were embraced by Minnesota after being “scorned” by Trump.
Although, much to my dismay, the Trump Administration is continuing to admit refugees (including hundreds of Somalis), I’m happy to see news like this about illegal alien Somalis being found and deported to Somalia.
For years we didn’t send Somalis back even when they committed one crime after another, but at least this portion of the Trump agenda is being carried out.
(BTW, the theory about not sending illegal migrants, even criminals, back to hellhole countries has been that it is too cruel for them and they will be in danger there.)
Somalia’s U.S. ambassador says his embassy has learned that U.S. immigration agents are planning to deport about 4,000 Somali nationals now living in the United States.
“We learned through immigration sources that the total number of the Somalis that are in the books of [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] to be removed are close to 4,000,” Ahmed Isse Awad told VOA’s Somali service Saturday. “Most of them are not in detention centers.” [Good luck finding them! They are probably on the way to Canada!—ed]
Since Somalia’s embassy in Washington reopened in November 2015, the ambassador said, about 170 Somali immigrants who either ran afoul of U.S. law or had their asylum applications rejected have been deported to Mogadishu, the Somali capital.
Most of those previously deported had applied for but been denied political asylum in the U.S., he added. Another group of Somali applicants whose requests for asylum have been denied are now in detention centers or prisons, awaiting deportation.
Is Virginia a magnet for criminal aliens?
ICE agents recently arrested 82 people from 26 nations during a five-day operation in and around the U.S. capital.
According to a statement from ICE, 68 of those detained March 26-30 had previous criminal convictions, for crimes including armed robbery, larceny and drug offenses. All but three were arrested in the state of Virginia.
Be sure to see the whole story. VOA reports on one Somali deported in the past who simply returned with a new name. He has been here for decades. How many more like him are out there?
https://drrichswier.com/wp-content/uploads/border-patrol-agents-e1491907861781.jpg360640Ann Corcoranhttp://drrich.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/logo_264x69.pngAnn Corcoran2017-04-11 06:51:102017-04-12 06:03:41We are deporting Somalis — 4,000 are in the pipeline!
