A wave of fear is sweeping through the Somali-American community in Minnesota, USA, after President Donald Trump unleashed a torrent of inflammatory remarks, branding them "garbage" and stating, "I don't want them in our country." The comments have struck a raw nerve, not just for Somalis, but for the wider East African diaspora, including a significant Kenyan population who now fear being caught in the crossfire of a hardened immigration crackdown.

This is not just a war of words. The President's verbal assault comes as federal immigration authorities are reportedly preparing a major enforcement operation in Minnesota, specifically targeting Somali immigrants. For families in Kenya who rely on relatives in the US for school fees and daily needs, this news lands with the weight of a potential economic catastrophe. The United States is the largest source of remittances to Kenya, a lifeline that could be severed by detentions and deportations.

A Community on Edge

In Minneapolis, home to the largest Somali community in the US, the apprehension is palpable. Community leaders have described a state of heightened anxiety. "When you're being targeted by the president of the United States, it's not really a good feeling," noted Aj Awed, executive director of the Cedar-Riverside Community Council. Many Somali-Americans, a large number of whom are US citizens, first sought refuge in Kenya before resettling in America.

The fear is not unfounded. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are reportedly underway in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. While officials state these operations target individuals with deportation orders, such sweeps often ensnare others, creating a broad climate of fear that pushes undocumented residents, including Kenyans, deeper into the shadows.

The Kenyan Connection

Minnesota is not just a hub for Somalis; it is also home to a large and growing Kenyan community, estimated at over 20,000 people. For them, the anti-immigrant rhetoric is a chilling reminder of their own precarious position. Recent reports indicate that US immigration authorities have already identified over 1,200 Kenyan nationals for deportation nationwide.

The economic stakes are immense. Remittances from the diaspora are a cornerstone of Kenya's economy, totaling nearly KES 750 billion in the year leading up to April 2025. Any disruption to this flow directly impacts the ability of families to put food on the table back home.

• Targeted Operations: Federal authorities are reportedly preparing a targeted immigration sweep in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
• Economic Lifeline: The US is the largest source of remittances to Kenya, a vital income source for many families.
• Shared Fears: The Kenyan diaspora in Minnesota, a significant population, shares the anxieties of the Somali community as immigration enforcement intensifies.

A President's Words, A Community's Pain

President Trump's comments were direct and disparaging. "Their country is no good for a reason," he stated at the White House. He has also threatened to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali migrants, a program that offers a legal safeguard against deportation. The rhetoric has been condemned as dangerous and unbecoming of a world leader, with critics warning it could incite violence and hate crimes. Even former supporters of the President within the Somali-American community have expressed a sense of betrayal, calling the language "dehumanizing and very demeaning."

As federal agents mobilize, the vibrant East African communities of Minnesota are holding their breath. For many who fled conflict and instability, the promise of safety in America now feels fragile, replaced by the cold fear of a knock on the door. The consequences of these words and actions will be felt not just in the streets of Minneapolis, but in homes across Kenya.