Minnesota

Hmong, Somali communities in Minnesota raise concern over Trump’s new travel ban

Published

6 months ago

June 6, 2025

Hmong, Somali communities in Minnesota raise concern over Trump’s new travel ban

The White House’s new travel ban takes effect on June 9. The 19 countries listed as a security concern by President Trump also include some of Minnesota’s largest immigrant communities.

“My parents were actually from the country of Laos. They can here after the fall of the Vietnam war,” said Hmong-American Mike Hang.

“The civil war is the reason why I’m here and made Minnesota my home,” said Somali-American Jaylani Hussein.

Two Americans with Hmong and Somali heritage. President Trump cited specific security concerns for each of these 19 countries with travel restrictions.

Two of those, Somalia and Laos, are responsible for some of the largest immigrant populations in Minnesota.

“Most folks who have been in the process of coming to the U.S. have been vetted, went through a process sometimes five, six, seven years. There is no other option,” said Hussein.

“It’s also very hard on the elders, too, right? Because they’re pretty old now and they do want to go see some family back there, it’s made it hard for them,” said Hang.

The President’s travel restriction proclamation listed specific security concerns with each country.

Somalia faces a full travel ban. The President cited a “persistent terrorist threat,” describing the country as a safe haven for terrorists and saying the country’s government is not vetting or screening travelers’ identities properly.

“It cuts deep for a community that’s seen little progress in Somalia,” said Hussein.

Travelers and immigrants from Laos are facing partial restrictions, with nearly 35% of people who come here on temporary basis overstay their visas, according to a Trump administration report.

The national security concerns and travel restrictions, leading to uncertainty for families in Minnesota.

“They’re very uncomfortable. We don’t know if someone’s gonna get banned,” Hang told WCCO.

Frankie McLister

Frankie McLister, originally from Middletown, Maryland, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.

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Minnesota

Mid-morning Minnesota winter weather update

Published

7 hours ago

November 29, 2025

Press Room

Mid-morning Minnesota winter weather update

Winter Storm Warning

until SUN 12:00 AM CST, Pipestone County, Cottonwood County, Rock County, Jackson County, Lyon County, Murray County, Nobles County, Faribault County, Watonwan County, Waseca County, Steele County, Freeborn County, Martin County, Redwood County, Blue Earth County, Brown County, Nicollet County

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Minnesota

Obituary for Marcie Moe at Johnson Funeral Service

Published

1 day ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

Obituary for Marcie Moe at Johnson Funeral Service

Marcie Lee Moe age 65, of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, formerly of Grygla, MN, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Born on December 10, 1959 in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Marcie was the beloved daughter of Adrian Severance Johnson and Edna Irene Christianson Johnson. Marcie was baptized at St.

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Minnesota

5 key takeaways from Minnesota’s loss to Stanford at the Acrisure Invitational

Published

2 days ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

5 key takeaways from Minnesota’s loss to Stanford at the Acrisure Invitational

Minnesota began its Acrisure Invitational journey with some great energy against Stanford, but an injury to starting point guard Chansey Willis Jr. was too much to overcome in a hard-fought 72-68 loss. Here’s what we learned.

Minnesota has been without North Dakota transfer BJ Omot and Maryland transfer Chance Stephens in every regular-season game, while starting big man Robert Vaihola missed his second straight game on Thursday with a knee injury. Things got even more scarce after two early fouls sent Willis to the bench, and he came out of the locker room with a boot on his right ankle.

The Gophers were already not a very deep team, so taking away four rotational players is a massive issue for Niko Medved and a rebuilding program.

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With Vaihola out for the second straight game due to a knee injury, Minnesota slid Grove into the starting lineup for the first time in his college career. Nehemiah Turner did not see the floor after starting last week’s loss to San Francisco, and it was an eight-man rotation.

The Gophers coughed up 14 turnovers on Thursday night, compared to only eight for Stanford. The biggest difference was that Minnesota’s turnovers resulted in 27 Cardinal points. It’s hard to point to any other stat as the largest factor in Thursday’s result.

Reynolds was the first player off the bench for Minnesota, and he provided some serious energy to begin Thursday night’s game. He had a career-high 16 points in last week’s loss to San Francisco, and it looked like he would remain at that level against Stanford, but he struggled in the second half with six points, six rebounds, four assists and six turnovers on the night.

Asuma generated all the headlines when he opted to stay with the Gophers through the coaching change, but Grove also returned after redshirting last season. The 6-foot-9 big man from Alexandria, Minnesota, got the biggest opportunity of his college career against Stanford. He finished with five points and one rebound in 19 minutes. Medved opted to roll with Durkin in the closing lineup.

The Gophers will face Santa Clara on Friday night in the consolation game of the Acrisure Invitational.

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