Fear and Precaution in Minneapolis Somali Community Amid ICE Operation
In December 2025, the Somali community in Minneapolis experienced heightened fear and disruption following the launch of Operation Metro Surge by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), targeting Somali residents in Minnesota. This operation followed inflammatory remarks by former President Trump, who described Somalis as garbage and called for their deportation. Minnesota is home to about 84,000 people of Somali descent, most of whom are U.S. citizens or legal residents.
The impact on daily life has been significant. Karmel Mall, a key community hub in Minneapolis, saw far fewer visitors with many stalls closed as community members opted for precautionary measures such as staying home, carrying identification documents, and avoiding public places. Volunteer block watchers actively monitor for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity, using text alerts and whistles, while notices warn that ICE cannot enter homes without a court order. Friday prayers have been notably half-empty, and many clinic appointments were canceled; in response, clinics have organized rapid-response efforts.
Local authorities describe the operation as chaotic and scattered due to the large number of community members who are citizens. DHS reports that some arrests have been made targeting what they term the "worst of the worst." Amid these tensions, community leaders and politicians, including Ilhan Omar and Jim Abeler, have publicly defended the Somali community, rejecting stereotypes and emphasizing their roles as valued workers and neighbors.
Protests in support of Somali and Afghan communities took place on 8 December 2025, highlighting broader concerns about immigration enforcement and civil rights in the region.
