The Trump administration has decided to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia, a move that affects many Somalis living in the U.S., particularly in Minnesota.
Somali immigrants holding TPS must leave the country by March 17. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated, “When we say temporary, we mean temporary.” She pointed out that conditions in Somalia have improved enough that it no longer qualifies for TPS under the law.
In her statement, Noem also mentioned that allowing Somalis to stay temporarily isn’t aligned with national interests, emphasizing the priority of American citizens.
Currently, approximately 2,471 Somalis in the U.S. are under TPS, with around 1,383 still awaiting their applications to be processed. Moreover, it’s estimated that about 600 Somalis living in protection are situated in Minnesota.
The situation surrounding TPS arrives on the heels of ongoing ICE operations in Minneapolis, particularly after a significant fraud case involving the Somali community, which reportedly amounted to nearly $9 billion.
Originally, Somalia was granted TPS status back in 1991 due to the persistent civil war. Interestingly, President Joe Biden has recently extended protections until September 2024.
This decision to eliminate TPS coincides with a lawsuit from the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, against the Trump administration over ICE’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategy.
Attorney General Keith Ellison criticized this targeting of Minnesota’s population, claiming it undermines diversity and is unconstitutional, contributing to widespread fear in the area.
In another related event, a woman named Renee Nicole Good was shot by an immigration officer in south Minneapolis last week, leading to a wave of protests the following day.
Noem described Good as a “domestic terrorist,” alleging that she intended to harm agents by driving toward them. Footage from the incident shows ICE agents confronting her car before the officer opened fire, resulting in her death.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called for the cessation of ICE operations in the city post-incident, while Governor Tim Walz criticized DHS publicly, expressing concerns about the situation and accusing them of spreading misinformation.
Following Good’s death, protests erupted, marked by homemade barricades and tensions between demonstrators and immigration officials, continuing amidst the ongoing enforcement actions in Minneapolis.
