Immigrant advocacy groups have filed a challenge against the Trump administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis living in the United States. These groups argue that the administration’s move is racially motivated, targeting Somali nationals unfairly. Approximately 1,080 individuals could now face self-deportation or deportation if the deadline is enforced.
The challenge comes amid continued scrutiny of President Trump’s comments regarding the Somali community. Statements made by Trump, including derogatory references to Somalis during a Cabinet meeting, have fueled claims that the administration is discriminating based on race. An excerpt from the filing states, “President Trump has smeared the Somali community publicly.” It asserts that the administration’s actions reflect a desire to “target and punish Somali nationals based on their race and national origin in violation of the U.S. Constitution.”
The lawsuit is backed by organizations such as African Communities Together and the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans. They identified the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a key defendant. This legal challenge occurs during Trump’s broader crackdown on illegal immigration, particularly affecting Somali communities in states like Minnesota, which have come under fire for alleged fraudulent activities. Reports suggest that fraudulent schemes involving predominantly Somali constituents may have drained as much as $9 billion from Minnesota’s government assistance programs.
Trump’s interest in Somalia has been ongoing since his first term. His administration initially included Somalia in a travel ban enacted in 2017. More recently, after revelations of alleged fraudulent activities in Minnesota, Trump reiterated his stance against the Somali TPS in November 2025. He stated on Truth Social, “Minnesota is a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity. I am, as president of the United States, hereby terminating, effective immediately, the Temporary Protected Status for Somalis in Minnesota.”
The formal change in TPS designation came under outgoing Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem, who left the agency earlier this month. A DHS spokesperson confirmed that plans to end Somali TPS remain intact, emphasizing the idea that “temporary means temporary.” According to the agency, conditions in Somalia have sufficiently improved, contradicting the need for TPS, with the spokesperson adding, “Allowing Somali nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to our national interests. The Trump administration is putting Americans first.”
Established under the Immigration Law of 1990, TPS allows individuals from designated countries to work in the U.S. and avoids removal if their home country is experiencing conditions such as war or natural disasters. Somalia has held TPS since 1991, benefiting from these protections for over 30 years. However, the Trump administration’s recent focus suggests a shift in policy direction.
The plaintiffs argue that dangerous conditions in Somalia persist, citing ongoing terrorist activities and human rights abuses attributed to groups like Al-Shabaab. They reference the most recent TPS extension, which highlighted “widespread insecurity due to armed conflict involving state and non-state actors.” The extension reiterated that civilians continue to suffer from serious human rights violations, including executions and gender-based violence.
Despite the plaintiffs’ claims, DHS has refrained from commenting on the actual conditions in Somalia, leaving many questions unanswered about the safety of repatriating Somali nationals. The situation remains tense, with immigrant advocates and the Trump administration at odds over policies that could impact thousands of lives.
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