The state of Minnesota, governed by Tim Walz, who ran with Kamala Harris in the presidential elections, has become the new immigration target for the government of Republican Donald Trump, targeting immigrants of Somali origin in particular, according to reports in the American media on Tuesday (02/12/2025).
minneapolis st. Paul would be hardest hit by the deployment of more than 100 agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies, according to the New York Times.
The Minnesota case was discussed Tuesday at a Cabinet meeting led by Trump and where Walz was repeatedly named.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed without evidence that half of the immigrants living in that state had submitted “fraudulent” visa applications.
Noem squarely blamed Governor Walz for “illegally” bringing in people who “should never have been in this country,” an accusation that doesn’t have much argument because visas are issued by the U.S. executive branch, and states don’t get involved.
“They don’t contribute anything. I don’t want them in our country.”
Trump told his secretaries about Somali immigrants: “They don’t contribute anything. I don’t want them in our country.”
The Republican in Somalia added, “They have nothing, they are killing each other.” “Their country is useless for a reason. Their country stinks and we don’t want them in our country,” he said.
The president had already attacked migrants from 19 “Third World” countries, including Somalia, over the weekend, and imposed on them a suspension of decisions in asylum cases.
Local officials immediately reacted to the expected operation: “I know a lot of families are scared tonight, but I want them to know that the city and I support them,” Minneapolis Councilman Jamal Osman, who represents the city’s largest Somali-origin community, said during a Tuesday news conference reported by the Minnesota Reformer.
Somalis have become the target of accusations of alleged fraud in public programs in Minnesota, a rhetoric that is growing.
Most of them have legal status
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said at the press conference that the vast majority of people of Somali origin in Minnesota have legal status.
For his part, Governor Walz said in a message to:
The Trump administration last month revoked Somalia’s temporary protected status and asked Noem to reconsider permanent residency cards for immigrants from “countries of concern,” including Somalia.
Pending deportation requests
The US government also announced on Tuesday the suspension of all immigration applications from citizens of 19 countries on the travel ban list, and the processing of green cards and US citizenship.
This measure affects countries such as Iran, Sudan, Eritrea, Haiti, Somalia and other countries that are considered “highly politically and economically unstable.”
The pause, confirmed by Matthew Tragesser, spokesman for US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), seeks to ensure that “those who become citizens are the best of the best. Citizenship is a privilege, not a right,” he told various US media outlets.
The decision includes permanent residency, naturalization, and other immigration procedures supervised by the agency.
JC (Efe, AFP)