Ben Stiller Responds to Trump’s Comments About Somali Immigrants
Hollywood actor Ben Stiller has voiced his support for the Somali community, asserting that “Somali people are not trash.” This statement follows President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks suggesting that Somali immigrants should “go back to where they came from.”
Trump’s comments surfaced after reports indicated that immigrants from Somalia were allegedly receiving substantial amounts of Medicaid, which is intended for autism care, and sending this money back to Somalia and its terrorist organizations.
Previously, President Trump had declared an end to the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis, claiming that many individuals were unaccounted for. Reports also indicate that Somalis are listed among the nationalities excluded from legal migration routes, pending further security checks.
Stiller, known for films like Zoolander and Night at the Museum, took to social media platform X to express his outrage.
During a Cabinet meeting, Trump reiterated that Somali immigrants ought to return home to aid in rebuilding their country. He characterized Somali-born Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and other Somali immigrants derogatorily, saying they were “trash” and implied they should leave the U.S.
Somali immigrants are facing increasing scrutiny amid allegations of theft, embezzlement, and welfare fraud, particularly among the approximately 100,000 Somalis currently living in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Reports have suggested a connection between some Somali immigrants and organized crime. The New York Times noted that many Somali refugees who arrived in the U.S. after the civil war came from an environment where stealing from a corrupt government was common.
In a post, Trump labeled Somalia as a country struggling with severe issues, including poor governance, poverty, terrorism, and corruption. Presently, the estimated Somali population in the United States is around 163,769, making up about 0.05% of the total U.S. population. Minnesota has the highest concentration of Somalis, with more than 61,000 residents, followed by states like Ohio and Washington.
