On Friday, President Trump announced on social media that he is terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali immigrants living in Minnesota, effective immediately. TPS has allowed thousands of Somali nationals to live and work legally in the U.S. after fleeing conflict and humanitarian crises in Somalia.
Under the guise of blaming Somali refugees for “terrorizing the people of that great state,” the sudden proposed termination has raised legal and political questions, as experts debate whether the president has the authority to selectively end TPS protections for one state or population without notice or congressional approval.
The move hits at the heart of Minnesota’s Somali-American community, one of the largest Somali diasporas in the country. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American and former refugee, now represents Minnesota in the House and a long foil to Trump’s political agenda, has long advocated for protections for the community and already took to social media herself to challenge the decision.
I am a citizen and so are majority of Somalis in America. Good luck celebrating a policy change that really doesn’t have much impact on the Somalis you love to hate. We are here to stay 💁🏽♀️ https://t.co/JHSO3PKL6O
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 22, 2025
Advocates warn that ending TPS could disrupt families, employment, and access to education, while also stoking fear and uncertainty among residents. Legal challenges are widely anticipated.
It’s not surprising that the President has chosen to broadly target an entire community. This is what he does to change the subject.https://t.co/pv8OJWUxR1
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) November 22, 2025
Like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Rep. Omar, state officials and local leaders condemned the move, describing it as both a humanitarian and political misstep that could have ripple effects across the state. Critics say it undermines the stability and integration of Minnesota’s Somali population, while supporters argue TPS was intended to be temporary and that the administration is enforcing U.S. immigration law.
Start your day with essential news from Salon.Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.
The announcement also underscores the administration’s continuing hardline stance on immigration, particularly in politically significant regions. Minnesota, with its large Somali-American population and history as a key battleground state, is now positioned as a flashpoint in the national debate over refugee protections and immigration policy.
However, it should be noted that this is not an official announcement from the White House or from the Department of Homeland Security’s Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). Instead, it is President Trump deciding a political move via his Truth Social posts. Until an official announcement is made, the discussion will remain where it began — social media.
Read more
about this topic
