On November 21, 2025, President Donald Trump declared the immediate termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals residing in Minnesota, which is home to the largest Somali community in the United States. TPS is a designation granted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that allows eligible foreign-born individuals to live and work in the U.S. due to unsafe conditions in their home countries.

Trump attributed this decision to claims of significant financial fraud and alleged connections to criminal activities within the Somali community, stating that Minnesota has become a center for such activities. He called for the deportation of individuals under TPS, asserting that it is "OVER!" This announcement follows a report from City Journal, which alleged that millions of dollars in fraudulent funds have been sent back to Somalia, potentially benefiting the terrorist group Al-Shabaab. The report indicated that some members of Minnesota's Somali community may be involved in these activities.

The TPS program, established by Congress in 1990, is typically renewed in 18-month increments. Currently, only 705 Somalis nationwide are covered by this status. Critics, including the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, have condemned the decision, arguing it could lead to family separations and characterizing it as a politically motivated attack on the Somali and Muslim communities, fueled by Islamophobic sentiments.

Representative Ilhan Omar, a prominent Somali-American politician, responded by emphasizing that the majority of Somalis in the U.S. are citizens and will remain in the country. She has been a vocal advocate for her community amid ongoing scrutiny and criticism regarding alleged fraudulent activities, including claims of exploitation of social insurance systems.

The revocation of TPS has sparked discussions about the broader implications of immigration policy and the challenges faced by marginalized communities. While some proponents of stricter immigration policies argue that such actions are necessary to address perceived abuses, others highlight the potential humanitarian consequences for individuals who may be forced to return to a country still grappling with instability and violence.