Minnesota leaders rally against Trump’s threat to end Somali Temporary Protected Status
Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the United States, with close to 80,000 Somali American residents.
Minnesota officials, immigration lawyers, and Somali American community leaders urged calm after President Donald Trump claimed on social media that he had immediately ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals.
Officials said the claim is false and warned that it has caused confusion and fear in Somali communities across the state.
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TPS for Somalia remains in full effect under a Department of Homeland Security designation that lasts until March 17, 2026. The program protects eligible Somali nationals in the United States from deportation and allows them to work legally. DHS extended Somalia’s TPS because of conflict, humanitarian emergencies, and instability in the country.
Under federal law, the president cannot end TPS by declaration. Any termination or redesignation must come from DHS and must be published in the Federal Register. DHS is also required to provide a 60-day notice period and explain, based on current country conditions, why the change is being made.
“This program is governed by law, not political statements,” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said. “A tweet cannot end TPS, and any attempt to do so improperly would face legal action.”
Ellison spoke at a news event at the Brian Coyle Community Centre in Minneapolis, where local officials and community leaders gathered to address public concern.
Speakers said the claim spread quickly online over the weekend, leading many Somali families to worry about the status of their relatives and coworkers.
“This rhetoric has consequences,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR-Minnesota. “Many families are already receiving calls from relatives and employers who do not understand the law. The fear is real, even though most Somalis in Minnesota are US citizens or permanent residents.”
Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the United States, with close to 80,000 Somali American residents.
Federal data shows that fewer than 1,000 Somali nationals nationwide currently hold TPS. Most Somali Minnesotans arrived as refugees in earlier decades or have since become permanent residents or citizens.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who visited the Twin Cities on Sunday, confirmed that the department plans to review Somalia’s TPS designation as part of routine procedures. She said DHS has not made any changes.
“The department will follow the legal process and examine country conditions,” Noem said.
Somalia first received TPS in 1991 after the collapse of the central government and the start of civil war. The designation has been renewed many times over, for more than 30 years, because of ongoing violence, threats from extremist groups, and continuing humanitarian emergencies.
Flooding, drought, displacement, and limited access to aid agencies remain major concerns cited in previous DHS reviews.
Immigration lawyers in Minnesota said TPS holders should stay informed through official channels but should not assume any immediate changes.
“TPS cannot be ended abruptly, nor can protections be revoked on a state-by-state basis,” said Minneapolis attorney Michele Garnett McKenzie. “Any real change would take months, not hours.”
Community organisations held information sessions and legal workshops at Karmel Mall in Minneapolis to respond to questions.
Many residents said they wanted clarity about how TPS works and how to confirm their status. Religious leaders also urged community members to rely on DHS statements rather than social media posts.
“Somali Americans have been building businesses, raising families, paying taxes, and contributing to this state for decades,” said Imam Yussuf Abdulle. “Minnesota will not allow fear or misinformation to divide our communities.”
Local groups said they are expanding multilingual outreach and legal assistance. Organisers said they want to ensure residents understand that the law has not changed and that TPS remains in effect.
Advocates also noted that TPS is, by design, a temporary program. But they said any future decision to modify Somalia’s designation must follow federal law and cannot be made through political comments or online claims.
Community leaders said they expect misinformation to continue spreading during the election season and will focus on helping residents access reliable information. They encouraged TPS holders and their families to monitor DHS announcements and stay in contact with
legal service providers.
“This is a moment where facts matter,” Hussein said. “Our community deserves clear information, not panic driven by false statements.”
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