President Donald Trump said he is ending the temporary protected status (TPS) program for Somalis in Minnesota, “effective immediately,” in a post to Truth Social Friday night.
Newsweek reached out to Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s office for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump’s decision to end TPS for Somali migrants in the North Star State has potentially major implications for immigrant communities, humanitarian protections and U.S. immigration policy.
Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the country. Changes to TPS could affect not only the lives of those directly impacted, but also broader debates about deportation policies and the U.S. role in offering safe haven to people from conflict zones.
What To Know
In a post to social media, the president said, “Minnesota, under Governor Waltz [sic], is a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity. I am, as President of the United States, hereby terminating, effective immediately, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota.”
Trump continued, “Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing. Send them back to where they came from. It’s OVER! President DJT”
TPS, established by Congress in 1990, is designed to prevent deportation of people to countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters or other unstable conditions.
What People Are Saying
Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, on X Friday: “I am a citizen and so are majority of Somalis in America. Good luck celebrating a policy change that really doesn’t have much impact on the Somalis you love to hate. We are here to stay”
Walz, on X Friday: “It’s not surprising that the President has chosen to broadly target an entire community. This is what he does to change the subject.”
Conservative writer Ann Coulter, also on X Friday: “I can’t imagine why the lovely and charming Ilhan Omar would want to live in such a horrible country as this.”
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, on X Friday: “NOPE. No, he isn’t. There is literally no legal means by which he can do this. It’s not a presidential power. TPS by law cannot be terminated early. Somali TPS is not set to expire until March 17, 2026. DHS [Department of Homeland Security] may make an attempt to do this but it would be immediately struck down.”
What Happens Next
DHS will likely be responsible for implementation of the change announced by Trump. TPS terminations typically allow a wind-down period for affected people to make plans, although the president’s statement called for an immediate end.
Update 11/21/25, 10:59 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.