In one of his most forceful statements yet on immigration, President Donald Trump launched a blistering attack on Somali immigrants, accusing them of draining American resources and calling on them to “go back and fix their own country.” His remarks come as federal authorities investigate a massive COVID-era fraud scheme tied to members of Minnesota’s Somali community — a scandal now reaching deep into Washington.
Speaking during a high-profile Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump delivered a fiery critique of Somalia and those fleeing it, declaring that the East African nation “has nothing” and that its migrants contribute little to the United States.
“Somalia has nothing — they run around and kill each other. Their country is horrible, and we don’t want them in ours.”
— President Donald Trump
He argued that Somali migrants rely heavily on social assistance programs and insisted they should return home to rebuild their nation rather than remain in America.
A Targeted Message as Scandal Erupts in Minnesota
Trump’s rhetoric is emerging exactly as a major financial scandal shakes Minnesota, home to the largest Somali population in the United States. Federal investigators allege that nearly $1 billion in pandemic relief funds meant for social programs was stolen — some of it allegedly funneled overseas and potentially into the hands of the Somali terrorist group al-Shabab.
The fraud case, involving a large Minnesota nonprofit and several individuals from the Somali community, has triggered widespread anger across the state and intense scrutiny from the Trump administration.
Trump and his senior officials have seized on the revelations, arguing that the scandal exposes the dangers of lax immigration systems and weak oversight.
Deportation Protections Lifted After 33 Years
In a dramatic policy shift, Trump last week ended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Somalis — a safeguard that had been in effect since 1991 when Somalia plunged into civil war.
The termination of TPS opens the door for mass deportations. According to AP, federal immigration authorities are preparing large-scale enforcement operations in Minnesota, with a particular focus on Somalis who remain in the U.S. illegally.
Trump’s message was unequivocal: those who entered legally or illegally should expect consequences.
“We don’t need people who take from our system and give nothing back.”
His comments were met with applause from some conservative lawmakers but sparked outrage from civil rights groups and immigrant advocates nationwide.
Somali Leaders Push Back: ‘We Are Americans’
Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), sharply condemned Trump’s remarks. He stressed that 95 percent of Somalis in Minnesota are U.S. citizens, working, studying, and contributing to the local economy.
“This is fearmongering, plain and simple. The vast majority of Somali Minnesotans are Americans — taxpayers, workers, families. Scapegoating them is irresponsible and dangerous,”
— Jaylani Hussein, CAIR-Minnesota
Community leaders fear Trump’s comments could inflame already heightened tensions, especially amid the ongoing fraud probe.
Why Trump Is Turning Up the Heat Now
Several political factors are driving the administration’s renewed focus on Somali migration:
1. The Minnesota fraud scandal is politically explosive
A near-billion-dollar pandemic scheme tied — even partially — to Somali Americans offers Republicans a potent campaign issue.
2. Immigration remains a defining issue for Trump’s supporters
With the 2025 agenda in full swing, Trump is emphasizing border controls, deportations, and national security.
3. Rising concerns about foreign influence and terrorism
Any suggestion that U.S. relief funds reached extremist groups is guaranteed to trigger a political firestorm.
4. Somalia remains unstable
The country continues to face insurgencies, weak governance, and economic collapse — conditions Trump argues should push Somalis to rebuild their homeland, not live abroad.
A Divisive Debate With National Implications
Trump’s statements are already resonating nationwide, with critics accusing him of demonizing an entire community and allies praising him for “telling the truth” about immigration and national security.
What remains clear is that the Somali population — particularly in Minnesota — is entering a period of heightened scrutiny. Federal raids, investigations, and policy changes are likely to escalate tensions further.
Whether Trump’s remarks become a turning point in U.S. immigration politics or simply another flashpoint in a deeply polarized debate remains to be seen.