Former President Donald Trump announced that he is ending deportation protections for Somali nationals living in Minnesota, stating that the change would take effect immediately. The protections, known as Temporary Protected Status (TPS), were first granted to Somalia in 1991 during the George H. W. Bush administration.
In a late-night post on his social media platform, Trump sharply criticized Minnesota’s leadership and claimed the state has become a center for large-scale financial fraud. He alleged that certain Somali groups are involved in criminal activity and that substantial amounts of money are unaccounted for. According to Trump, these issues justify terminating TPS specifically for Somalis residing in Minnesota.
His announcement followed the release of an investigative report highlighting a series of fraud cases in the state. These scandals include misuse of public funds, irregularities in Medicaid-related programs, and the high-profile “Feeding Our Future” case — one of the largest fraud prosecutions connected to pandemic relief funds in the United States. Prosecutors say that dozens of individuals falsely claimed to provide meals to children during the COVID-19 period, diverting federal reimbursements for personal luxury purchases.
Recent court records show that multiple defendants have pleaded guilty in connection with these schemes. In one instance, a Minnesota businessman admitted to allowing a fraudulent meal distribution site to operate out of his property in exchange for illicit payments.
The controversies have intensified scrutiny of Minnesota’s government programs, with federal officials examining how certain state initiatives grew rapidly in cost and were allegedly exploited for financial gain.
Trump’s declaration has sparked strong reactions, legal questions, and public debate. Immigration experts note that TPS is a federal program and cannot typically be revoked for just one state. They argue that any change would require formal action by the Department of Homeland Security and publication in the Federal Register — steps that were not immediately documented after Trump’s statement.
Civil rights groups, Minnesota officials, and members of the Somali community have also voiced concern, calling the announcement politically charged and potentially harmful to thousands of residents.
