In the past week, Somali communities across the United States have been shaken by two developments: a new round of targeted ICE enforcement in Minnesota and harsh comments from President Donald Trump. Although the immediate events are happening south of the border, the emotional impact is being felt by Somali Canadians who are calling relatives, checking on friends, and analyzing how far the hostility may spread.
Reports from Minnesota show that the vast majority of people of Somali descent in the United States are already citizens. Many were born in the country, and many have lived in Minnesota for decades. According to the Minnesota Reformer reports, only about eight percent of Somali Americans are non-citizens. In Minnesota, the number is closer to 5,000, including permanent residents, green card holders, and a small group protected under Temporary Protected Status. This is a dramatic shift from 2001, when more than three-quarters of Somalis in Minnesota were not yet citizens. After two decades of settlement, naturalization, and the birth of new generations, the community is firmly rooted in American civic life.
Even with such a high rate of citizenship, families live in fear. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has confirmed a series of arrests in the Twin Cities connected to “Operation Metro Surge.” Twelve people have been detained so far, including five Somalis, according to the Department of Homeland Security. These arrests are happening in parallel with Trump’s recent statement that he intends to end Temporary Protected Status for Somalis earlier than planned.
For many Somali Americans, this is not only a debate about immigration policy. It is a moment that affects daily life. When a president publicly calls Somalis “garbage,” claims they “contribute nothing,” and singles out Minnesota’s Somali population, those words spread through every corner of the community. Advocates in Minnesota have reported that children are afraid to attend school and adults hesitate to open their doors. Women who wear hijab have described being chased or harassed on the street. At the same time, Somali leaders in Minnesota say even U.S. citizens are being questioned during ICE events simply because they “look Somali.”
The consequences of this rhetoric do not stop at the U.S. border. Somali Canadians in Ottawa, Toronto, Edmonton, and Calgary are reacting with concern. CBC interviews captured the anxiety clearly. One Somali Canadian described feeling like she had been “holding her breath” while watching events unfold in Minnesota. Another warned that hateful rhetoric spreads quickly and respects no geography. Many Somali Canadians have immediate family members in the United States, and every headline becomes personal.
Canada is home to more than sixty-five thousand people of Somali descent, with large, well-established communities in major cities. That means tens of thousands of Somali Canadian families have direct connections to Minnesota and other U.S. states. When fear increases there, it increases here as well.
Although Canadian news stories have highlighted the issue, broader conversations within the Somali Canadian community have not yet gained public momentum. This situation raises an essential question for community leaders: What is the most effective response when neighbouring families face a moment of fear and uncertainty?
Several options are being discussed:
- Public Solidarity: Somali Canadians could choose to show public solidarity. When Somali American families are being insulted, threatened, or detained, community organizations, student groups, mosques, and advocacy leaders may issue clear statements, share accurate information, and counter misinformation that paints the community as a threat.
- Emotional Support: Families can continue to provide crucial emotional support by making phone calls, sending messages, and reassuring family members in the U.S. that they are not alone.
- Media Amplification: Community platforms, including CT Somali, play a direct role in creating safe spaces for discussion, reflecting on the diaspora’s shared history, and determining the best path forward for collective unity.
The Somali diaspora has overcome civil war, displacement, and enormous hardship. Across generations and across borders, the community has shown resilience, entrepreneurship, and strong family networks. Today’s moment in Minnesota is a painful reminder that solidarity matters and that Canadian Somali communities are actively seeking ways to stand with their American counterparts.
