Federal authorities plan large-scale immigration raids targeting Somali community in Minnesota, US
The information has spread quickly through Somali neighbourhoods in both cities, where many residents say they now fear unannounced raids and mistaken arrests.
Federal authorities are preparing a large immigration-enforcement operation in Minnesota that will focus on Somali immigrants with final deportation orders.
The operation is expected to begin within days and would send teams of immigration agents across the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area, which is home to the largest Somali community in the United States.
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Sources said hundreds of people could be targeted. They noted that the number remains uncertain and the plan could still change before the operation begins.
The information has spread quickly through Somali neighbourhoods in both cities, where many residents say they now fear unannounced raids and mistaken arrests.
The timing of the planned sweep follows a rise in recent comments by President Donald Trump about Somali immigrants. During a Cabinet meeting, Trump said he does not want “them” in the country.
The remarks have elicited strong reactions from local leaders, civil rights groups, and members of the Somali community. They say the planned operation will increase pressure on a minority that already faces public scrutiny, and they warn that many people who are not subject to deportation will be caught in the process.
At a press conference, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey spoke against the federal plan. He said that Somali residents have played a significant role in the city's economic and social life.
“They have started businesses and created jobs. They have added to the cultural fabric of what Minneapolis is,” he said.
Frey said the operation could lead to violations of due process. “Targeting Somali people means that due process will be violated, mistakes will be made, and … American citizens will be detained for no other reason than the fact that they look like they are Somali. That is not now and will never be a legitimate reason,” he said. He also stated that local police officers will not assist in the operation. “It’s not their job,” he said.
Support for the Somali community has also come from officials in St. Paul. Mayor Melvin Carter said the planned mass deportations serve a political purpose and warned that targeting large groups will increase fear in immigrant communities. Carter said the plan will reduce trust between residents and local government and will create long-term challenges for city services.
Advocacy groups say most Somalis in Minnesota are US citizens and that only a small number are subject to deportation. The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said the plan “demonises the Muslim community” and said immigrant groups outside the Somali community feel the impact as well.
A representative said many families fear that any mistake by federal agents could lead to detention or separation.
A spokesperson for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement declined to confirm details of the operation. The spokesperson said, “Every day, ICE enforces the laws of the nation across the country. What makes someone a target of ICE is not their race or ethnicity, but the fact that they are in the country illegally.” She said the agency does not comment on “future or potential operations.”
Community leaders say Somali families who have lived in Minnesota for many years now fear knock-and-talk visits, workplace arrests, or home raids. One community leader said, “When additional ICE agents are deployed, it means additional pressure on the wider immigrant community.”
As Minnesota waits for the planned operation to begin, Somali-American residents, elected officials, and advocacy groups continue to call on federal authorities to observe due process and civil rights protections. They say the coming days will test whether trust between immigrant communities and government institutions can withstand an operation they believe is driven more by politics than public safety.
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