Minnesota leaders dispute Trump claim ending Somali Temporary Protected Status as community seeks clarity

MINNEAPOLIS (AX) — Minnesota officials, immigration attorneys and Somali American leaders urged calm Monday and denounced “dangerous misinformation” after former President Donald Trump claimed in a social media post that he had immediately terminated Temporary Protected Status for Somali nationals — a move legal experts said he cannot make and that has not occurred.

TPS for Somalia remains in effect through March 17, 2026, under a Department of Homeland Security designation that shields eligible Somali nationals from deportation and grants work authorization due to ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises. By federal law, only DHS can terminate or redesignate TPS, and any change must be published in the Federal Register with a 60-day notice and a justification tied to current 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 the Brian Coyle Community Center in Minneapolis, CAIR-Minnesota, Somali American residents, clergy and local officials said the comments were harmful, especially for mixed-status families relying on the program’s protections. “This rhetoric has consequences,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of CAIR-Minnesota. “Many families are already receiving calls from relatives and employers who do not understand the law. 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 United States, with nearly 80,000 residents. Yet fewer than 1,000 Somali nationals nationwide currently hold TPS, according to DHS and immigration estimates. Most Somalis in Minnesota arrived through the U.S. refugee resettlement program in the 1990s and 2000s; many have since become U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, speaking Sunday during a visit to the Twin Cities, said DHS will review Somalia’s status but has made no decision on changes. “The department will follow the legal process and examine country conditions,” she said.

TPS for Somalia was first granted in 1991 following the collapse of the central government and civil war. It has been extended more than two dozen times in response to persistent insecurity, threats from militant groups, severe flooding, drought-driven displacement and limited humanitarian access in parts of the country.

Immigration attorneys urged TPS holders to stay informed and continue complying with program requirements. “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.”

Across Minneapolis, community hubs moved quickly to address anxiety sparked by the false claim. At Karmel Mall, a center for Somali-owned businesses, residents gathered for forums and legal clinics. Faith leaders advised community members to rely on official DHS guidance rather than social media posts or online rumors. “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 and outreach sessions to ensure TPS holders understand their rights and obligations. Advocates emphasized that while TPS is temporary by definition, any policy move must come through lawful channels — not political messaging — and would include advance notice, a public explanation and time for affected individuals to respond.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.