President Donald Trump announced an immediate termination of Temporary Protected Status for Somali nationals residing in Minnesota. He cited alleged rampant fraud and gang activity tied to the community and labeled Minnesota a “hub of money laundering” under Governor Tim Walz.
The TPS program for Somali nationals was extended by the previous administration through March 2026 and currently includes roughly 700 registrants nationwide—with most Somalis in Minnesota being U.S. citizens. Legal experts say the sudden move raises questions about whether protections can be terminated for residents of a single state and whether federal law was properly followed.
Minnesota’s Attorney General and Somali-American advocacy groups called the step discriminatory and vowed to explore legal options. The White House and Department of Homeland Security have yet to provide further information on the decision’s implementation or broader implications.