Trump’s criticism puts focus on Somalis

President says ‘they contribute nothing.’ Most in Minnesota are US. citizens.

- By STEVE KARNOWSKI

A WOMAN and child walk down a street in a predominantly Somali neighborhood in Minneapolis.

(Jessie Wardarski Associated Press)

Recent statements by President Trump and top administration officials disparaging Minnesota's large Somali community have focused renewed attention on the immigrants from the war-torn East African country and their descendants.

Trump on Tuesday said he did not want Somalis in the U.S. because “they contribute nothing.” The president spoke soon after a person familiar with the planning said federal authorities are preparing a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota that would primarily focus on Somali immigrants living unlawfully in the United States.

Here are some things to know about Somalis in Minnesota.

An estimated 260,000 people of Somali descent were living in the U.S. in 2024, according to the Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey. The largest population is in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, home to about 84,000 residents, most of whom are American citizens. Ohio, Washington and California also have significant populations.

Almost 58% of the Somalis in Minnesota were born in the U.S. Of the foreign-born Somalis in Minnesota, an overwhelming majority — 87% — are naturalized U.S. citizens.

Of the foreign-born population, almost half entered the U.S. in 2010 or later, according to the Census Bureau.

They include many who fled the long civil war in their country and were drawn to the state’s welcoming social programs.