CBS News has confirmed that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has initiated operations targeting Somali immigrants living in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area.
The enforcement actions come days after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly stated that he does not “want Somalis in the country,” while previously claiming that Somali refugees have “taken over Minnesota.” U.S. officials have reported that ICE has received additional personnel and resources to apprehend individuals with final removal orders, with hundreds of Somali residents expected to be affected.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that “half” of Minnesota’s visa holders are “fraudulent,” though no evidence has been provided to support this statement. CBS News reports that requests for further information from the Department of Homeland Security have not yet received a response.
The operations have sparked fear and concern within the Somali community, with reports of prior arrests and community organizations mobilizing to provide legal aid and social support to those impacted.