Donald Trump has issued a concerning warning about an upcoming “day of retribution” in Minnesota. Despite widespread disapproval of ICE’s methods and operations in the state, the US President has reiterated his decision to increase the number of agents in Minnesota, specifically targeting Somali Americans, the majority of whom are American citizens.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed his concerns, questioning whether the people of Minnesota are willing to live in a community with individuals he described as convicted criminals, drug dealers, rapists, and other dangerous elements. He defended ICE’s actions, emphasizing their goal of removing these individuals from neighborhoods and sending them back to their countries of origin.
Contrary to Trump’s claims, ICE has focused its efforts on the Somali American community in Minnesota, a group where around 95% are US citizens by either birth or naturalization. Of the approximately 34,100 individuals of Somali descent in Minnesota who were not born in the US, about 62% have resided in the country for over a decade.
While approximately 5,800 individuals of Somali heritage in Minnesota are non-citizens, the vast majority entered the country legally with visas or green cards. It is estimated that there are fewer than 1,000 illegal Somali migrants in the state. With reportedly 3,000 ICE agents sent to Minnesota by the Trump administration, there are roughly three agents for every individual they could potentially deport.
Trump further claimed that crime rates decrease wherever they go, citing improvements in Chicago. He accused Minnesota Democrats of benefiting from the unrest caused by anarchists, diverting attention from alleged financial corruption. Ending his statement with a declaration of impending “retribution” for Minnesota residents, Trump’s words suggest a looming confrontation.