- Local officials oppose Trump’s anti-Somali rhetoric and support community
- Trump’s rhetoric ramped up during Tuesday Cabinet meeting
- Local leaders call Somali community economic, cultural asset in Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota officials defend Somali community against Trump’s attacks
Dec 2 (Reuters) – Officials in Minneapolis on Tuesday said they were not aware of imminent federal immigration raids targeting the area’s Somali community, which has come under blistering attacks from U.S. President Donald Trump in recent days.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, responding to a report in the New York Times that upward of 100 federal immigration agents were poised to descend on his city and neighboring St. Paul to target undocumented Somali residents, said regardless of whether raids were coming, the Somali community would be supported in every way possible by local authorities.
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Frey, a Democrat, said local police would not work with federal agents on any immigration matters, and he strongly criticized Trump’s recent attacks on the Somali community, including on Tuesday when the president called them “garbage” and said “we don’t want them in our country.”
The president has increased his attacks on Somalis in the U.S. since last week’s shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington, a shooting that killed on of the troops and for which an Afghan national has been charged.
“To villainize an entire group is ridiculous under any circumstances,” Frey said.
Anti-immigration rhetoric was a major part of Trump’s campaign and since taking office in January he has overseen an aggressive campaign by masked federal agents across the country that has instilled fear in immigrant communities and prompted protests and backlashes in the cities targeted.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, did not confirm raids were imminent in Minneapolis, but said agents were enforcing immigration laws across the country every day.
About 80,000 Somalis live in Minnesota, mostly in the Twin Cities metro region. Frey said the community had been an economic and cultural boon to the area and had been living in the U.S. for several decades. The vast majority of Somalis in the U.S., Frey said, are American citizens, and he said he’s convinced any immigration action would ensnare people in the country legally.
Item 1 of 4 Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks at a press conference to address reports of a planned federal operation targeting Somali immigrants, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. December 2, 2025. REUTERS/Tim Evans
[1/4]Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaks at a press conference to address reports of a planned federal operation targeting Somali immigrants, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. December 2, 2025. REUTERS/Tim Evans Purchase Licensing Rights
LATEST ATTACKS
Trump last month said he was immediately terminating temporary deportation protections for Somalis living in Minnesota, saying “Somali gangs” were terrorizing the state, without offering evidence or details. Local officials said Trump’s portrayal is untrue. In all, 705 Somalis are in the country with TPS status, according to government records.
During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump ratcheted up his inflammatory rhetoric about Somalis, saying they had contributed nothing to the U.S.
“I don’t want them in our country, I’ll be honest with you,” Trump said. “Their country is no good for a reason. Their country stinks.”
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the president was “absolutely right to highlight the problems caused by the radical Somali migrants that the Democrats let invade our country and steal from American taxpayers.”
Trump has long used incendiary rhetoric, as well as racist and sexist language, saying on several occasions that immigrants in the U.S. illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country.”
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, the first Black mayor of his Twin City which is also home to many Somalis, said Trump’s attacks on that community were “racist” and “xenophobic.”
Citing the opening words to the preamble of the U.S. Constitution – “We the People” – as the phrase that launched the American experience, Carter said “the sacred moments in American history are the moments we’ve had to decide who the ‘we’ is, who is included.’
“Who (Trump) is attacking aren’t just Somalis – they are Somali-Americans,” Carter said. “Who he attacked is Americans.”
Reporting by Brad Brooks in Colorado; Additional reporting by Ted Hesson, Trevor Hunnicutt and Andrea Shalal in Washington; editing by Donna Bryson and Lincoln Feast
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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Minneapolis, MN
MPD: Man and woman injured, both arrested after stabbing in Bryant neighborhood
A man was hospitalized with serious injuries after an apparent domestic-related stabbing Monday night in the Bryant neighborhood of Minneapolis, police say.
According to Minneapolis Police Sgt. Garrett Parten, officers were called to the area of 39th Street East and Fourth Avenue South just before 9 p.m. and found a man suffering from “at least one potentially life-threatening stab wound.”
Parten says officers provided aid until an ambulance took the man to a hospital for treatment.
Less than a mile west of where they found the man, on the other side of Interstate 35W, officers found a woman with less serious injuries. She was also taken to a hospital for treatment but is expected to survive.
Investigators believe the man and woman were involved in a domestic dispute and, upon being released from the hospital, were both booked into jail, Parten said.
The investigation remains active.
Minneapolis, MN
Woman dies in Minneapolis hit-and-run crash, driver still at large
Minneapolis police respond to a hit-and-run that left a woman seriously injured, (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A woman hit by a vehicle that fled the scene in Minneapolis over the weekend died Monday from her injuries, according to Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
Minneapolis hit-and-run crash
The backstory:
Police say they responded to reports of a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian at about 3:10 a.m. on Sunday in the 1600 block of Marshall Street Northeast.
Officers then found a woman in her 20s suffering from potentially life-threatening injuries. She was taken to the hospital.
Investigators say the woman was crossing Marshall Street while carrying a bag of food when she was struck by a speeding vehicle.
Driver still at large
What you can do:
Police say no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. The vehicle is described as a dark-colored sedan that was possibly driven by a man.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Minneapolis police by emailing policetips@minneapolismn.gov or calling 612-673-5845 to leave a voicemail.
Minneapolis, MN
ICE at US airports: No sign of agents at MSP
ICE at airports on Monday: No sign of agents at MSP
There are no signs of ICE agents at MSP Airport on Monday morning. ICE is being sent to some airports to help TSA during the partial government shutdown, which has led to long lines to get through airport security.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – ICE agents are set to assist TSA officers at airports nationwide due to staffing shortages caused by the ongoing partial government shutdown.
However, it remains unclear whether Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport will be among the locations receiving additional personnel.
ICE agents to assist TSA at airports
What we know:
The decision to deploy ICE agents comes as TSA officers have been working without pay for more than a month, leading to widespread staffing challenges. Hundreds of TSA employees have reportedly resigned, while others have called in sick, contributing to long security lines during the busy spring break travel season.
Federal officials say ICE agents will not replace TSA officers but would likely assist with certain tasks, such as monitoring exit lanes or checking passenger identification. The goal is to free up trained TSA officers to focus on more specialized duties like X-ray screening.
The Department of Homeland Security has not released a list of airports that will receive ICE support. In a statement Monday, the agency said in part, “President Trump is using every tool available to help American travelers who are facing hours-long lines at airports across the country.”
Security at MSP Airport
Local perspective:
At the MSP airport, operations appeared to be running smoothly. However, some passengers are skeptical about the effectiveness of using ICE agents. “Yeah, not a fan of that, I don’t think it will make the situation any better,” said a couple.
MSP officials would not confirm or deny if ICE agents would be deployed locally, but emphasized that wait times at MSP have remained relatively low.
“During the partial government shutdown, wait times have consistently remained under 30 minutes at MSP Airport, despite heavy spring break travel. The relatively low wait times are a testament to the commitment of the local TSA team,” a statement read. “We’re grateful for the TSA’s continued service to maintain smooth and secure travel for MSP passengers.”
What we don’t know:
It’s still unclear how many ICE agents will be deployed or which locations will be impacted.
The Source: This story uses statements from DHS and MSP Airport officials.
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