"Trump Axes Protections for Somali Migrants in Minnesota"

President Donald Trump Announces Immediate Termination of Protections for Somali Migrants in Minnesota In a move that has sparked widespread concern, President Donald Trump announced the immediate termination of temporary legal protections for Somali migrants living in Minnesota. The decision affects approximately 705 individuals nationwide, who were granted Temporary Protective Status due to Somalia's ongoing civil war and unrest. According to the White House, the move is part of the administration's efforts to weaken the Temporary Protective Status program, which was created by Congress in 1990 to safeguard individuals fleeing conflict and persecution. Immigration agents have been using new technology to identify and track people, including those with Temporary Protective Status, according to NPR News. The decision was made public on November 21, 2025, and is set to take effect immediately. This marks a further escalation of the administration's efforts to limit deportations, which have been a contentious issue in recent years. Minnesota, which has the nation's largest Somali community, is likely to be disproportionately affected by the decision. The Temporary Protective Status program was established to provide a safe haven for individuals fleeing conflict and persecution in countries such as Somalia, which has been embroiled in a civil war for decades. The program has been a source of controversy, with some arguing that it allows individuals to remain in the United States indefinitely, while others see it as a necessary measure to protect vulnerable populations. According to the Associated Press, President Trump made the announcement after meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office. The exact reasoning behind the decision is unclear, but it is likely to be met with resistance from immigrant advocacy groups and lawmakers who have long supported the Temporary Protective Status program. The move is also likely to have significant implications for the Somali community in Minnesota, which has been a major hub for Somali immigrants in the United States. Many of the individuals affected by the decision have been living in the United States for decades, and have built lives and families here. The decision has sparked widespread concern among immigrant advocacy groups, who argue that it is a heartless and inhumane move that will leave vulnerable individuals without protection. "This decision is a betrayal of the trust that these individuals have placed in the United States government," said a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union. "We will be fighting this decision every step of the way." The current status of the decision is that it is set to take effect immediately, and individuals with Temporary Protective Status will need to begin making arrangements to leave the United States or face deportation. The next steps in this process are unclear, but it is likely to be a contentious and complex issue in the coming weeks and months. In a statement, the White House said that the decision was made in the best interests of national security and public safety. However, the exact reasoning behind the decision remains unclear, and it is likely to be the subject of ongoing debate and controversy in the coming weeks and months.