On December 3, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Somali immigrants during a cabinet meeting, referring to them as "garbage" and asserting that they "contribute nothing" to the United States. He characterized Somalia as "barely a country" and suggested that its citizens are responsible for violence. These remarks came shortly after reports indicated that federal authorities were planning a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, focusing on undocumented Somali immigrants.

The Trump administration also announced a suspension of all immigration applications from 19 non-European countries, including Somalia and Afghanistan, citing national security and public safety concerns. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 260,000 individuals of Somali descent resided in the U.S. in 2024, with a significant population in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

Trump's rhetoric has often included derogatory language towards immigrants, previously referring to certain African nations in disparaging terms. His recent focus on the Somali community has intensified, with claims that they have caused societal issues. The Somali population in the U.S. largely consists of individuals fleeing civil unrest and violence in their home country, particularly since the fall of dictator Siad Barre and the rise of the al-Shabaab militant group.

Local leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, defended the Somali community, highlighting their contributions to the local economy and culture. Frey stated that Somali residents are valued members of the community. In response to Trump's comments, Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar criticized his focus on her and the Somali community, describing it as an attempt to intimidate.

Community leaders and organizations, such as the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), expressed concern over increased immigration enforcement targeting Somali residents, characterizing it as politically motivated rather than standard immigration policy. They emphasized the need for equitable treatment of all immigrants and condemned the use of inflammatory language that could incite fear and division.

The Somali government has not directly responded to Trump's comments, but local community members expressed shock at the language used by the U.S. president, calling for a more respectful discourse. The issue of Somali recruitment by extremist groups has been a concern for U.S. authorities, with past incidents of young Somali men being recruited by ISIS and al-Shabaab, although these cases have been largely addressed in recent years.