The mayor of Minneapolis made emphatic declarations of support for the city’s Somali community, stating that the commitment is “rock solid” in the face of threatened federal immigration enforcement. This strong language came during a press conference organized to address community concerns about planned operations.
Federal immigration authorities are preparing to deploy approximately 100 agents to the metropolitan area for coordinated enforcement operations. These actions would focus primarily on Somali nationals with deportation orders, targeting the city’s substantial Somali population of approximately 80,000 residents.
The enforcement plans coincide with inflammatory presidential rhetoric specifically targeting Somali immigrants. During a cabinet meeting, the administration’s leader used derogatory language to characterize the community and expressed desires for their removal from America.
City officials used the press conference to send clear messages of support directly to Somali residents. The mayor stated explicitly that the city loves the Somali community and stands with them, while emphasizing that most Somali residents are American citizens or legal residents who belong in Minneapolis.
Local leaders warned that federal enforcement operations would inevitably result in constitutional violations and wrongful detention of American citizens. The police chief clarified that the department does not assist with immigration enforcement and receives no advance notice of federal operations, maintaining the city’s commitment to protecting all residents.