Watch: Moorhead mayor, police chief issue ‘message of support’ for Somali community

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – City leaders in Moorhead came together on Thursday to “share a message of support of our neighbors of Somali descent.”

The remarks were made during a news conference hosted by Mayor Shelly Carlson, Police Chief Chris Helmick, Moorhead Human Rights Commission members and local Somali leaders.

On Wednesday, President Trump called Somali immigrants “garbage” and said he doesn’t want them living in the country. Dozens of ICE officers were recently sent to Minneapolis to target Somalis for allegedly violating immigration laws.

“These are people who do nothing but complain,” Trump said.

Carlson said Moorhead is a “global community” and said Somalis are “an essential part of our city’s fabric.”

“They are our friends and our family,” Carlson said. “They help shape our culture, our economy and the future of Moorhead every single day.”

Helmick said he wanted to make it clear to Somalis that Moorhead police officers will not be participating in any enforcement of federal immigration issues.

“We are not out targeting them and they should not fear us,” Helmick said. “That is not our job. Our job is to focus on state and local criminal law.”