Fargo-Moorhead Somalis React to Administration’s Apparent Targeting

The government, at present, would have little legal ability to detain or deport those of Somali descent, but locals say hateful rhetoric has still raised tensions.

MOORHEAD, MN (KVRR) – Strong words from President Trump on December 3, alongside his promises to deploy ICE agents specifically to target Somali communities in Minnesota, has left the immigrant community in Moorhead feeling dismayed about the state of political discourse.

“People are worried about discrimination. And about being targeted. And how their children will be treated at school,” said Ahmed Makaraan of the Ethnic Self-Help Alliance for Refugee Assistance.

Leaders like Makaraan and Fowzia Adde point out many inconsistencies in the administration’s claims about Somalians, like that they don’t contribute economically.

They also note that refugees have been arriving to the area since the mid-’90s and almost all who have immigrated have since obtained legal U.S. citizenship.

This is backed up by statistics from the Census Bureau, which says that nearly three-quarters of all Somali immigrants in the United States are naturalized citizens.

“We own our own houses. Our kids go to school here. They go to college here. We are taxpayers, and we became citizens a long time ago,” said Adde.

Though fears may have risen recently for immigrants due to federal rhetoric, they say they’re grateful for the support of politicians like Mayors Jacob Frey and Shelley Carlson, and that their community will remain strong in the face of adversity.

The Trump administration has threatened to cancel Temporary Protected Status for Somalian refugees.

According to the Congressional Research Service, there are only 705 Somalis covered under TPS in the entire United States.