Minnesota Leaders Reject Trump’s Claim on Somali TPS as Community Seeks Clarity.
Minnesota officials, immigration attorneys, and Somali American leaders moved quickly over the weekend to counter what they described as a surge of confusion and fear after former President Donald Trump claimed he had “immediately” ended Temporary Protected Status for Somali nationals in the state.
Legal experts emphasized that TPS remains fully in place and cannot be revoked by presidential declaration.
TPS for Somalia remains valid through March 17, 2026, under a Department of Homeland Security designation that shields eligible Somali nationals from deportation and provides work authorization due to ongoing conflict and humanitarian instability.
Under federal law, only DHS can terminate or redesignate TPS, and any such action must be published in the Federal Register with official notice and a review of country conditions.
“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.”
At a press conference at Minneapolis’ Brian Coyle Community Center, CAIR-Minnesota, local Somali American residents, clergy, and state officials denounced the comments as misleading and potentially dangerous, especially for mixed-status families where some members rely on TPS protections.
“This rhetoric has consequences,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR-Minnesota. “People are already getting calls from relatives and employers who don’t understand what’s real and what isn’t. The fear is real, even though most Somalis in Minnesota are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.”
Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the country, estimated at nearly 80,000 people. But fewer than 1,000 Somali nationals nationwide currently hold TPS, according to DHS and immigration data. Most Somalis in Minnesota arrived as refugees or have since gained citizenship or permanent residency.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, speaking Sunday during a visit to the Twin Cities, confirmed that DHS plans to review Somalia’s TPS designation but said no decision has been made. “The department will follow the legal process and examine country conditions,” she said.
Somalia was first designated for TPS in 1991 after the collapse of the central government and the outbreak of civil war. Extensions have continued for more than three decades due to persistent conflict, displacement, extremist violence, flooding, drought, and limited access to humanitarian aid.
Immigration attorneys urged TPS holders not to panic. “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.”
At Karmel Mall, a major hub for Somali-owned businesses, concerned residents attended forums and legal clinics offering guidance. Faith leaders reminded the community to rely on official DHS announcements, not social media posts or online claims.
“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.”
Community organizations said they are preparing multilingual legal resources to help families understand their rights as the political debate continues. Advocates emphasized that while TPS is temporary by definition, its future must be decided through lawful channels — not political messaging.
