A Somali woman in Minneapolis told local reporters she loves America but that fear is spreading through her community after President Trump’s recent comments and a wave of federal enforcement actions that have put Somali neighborhoods on edge. Local coverage says city leaders have received credible reports that as many as 100 federal agents could be deployed to the Twin Cities to address alleged fraud and other enforcement targets, leaving many lawful Somali Americans worried about being swept up.
President Trump’s rhetoric on immigration and enforcement has been unapologetically blunt, and that bluntness is part of why millions who put safety and order first are finally being listened to. The administration has also moved to dramatically lower refugee admissions and tighten vetting, measures conservatives have long argued are necessary to protect American taxpayers and communities.
The woman’s plea — that Somalis are hardworking and should not be painted with a broad brush — is sincere and resonates with patriots who believe in assimilation and opportunity. Conservatives do not hate immigrants; we oppose lawlessness and fraud, and we expect everyone who benefits from American generosity to respect the rule of law and contribute honestly to their new communities.
But headlines about fear in Somali neighborhoods must be balanced against reports of abuse of social service programs and other crimes that erode public trust and fuel backlash. When local officials look the other way, or when political leaders prioritize ideological optics over enforcement, ordinary citizens pay the price and politicians like Trump are right to put safety first.
Some on the left rush to weaponize every immigrant story to attack common-sense policy, and we’ve seen public figures use emotional appeals to shield bad actors and obstruct accountability. Conservatives should call out fraud and crime wherever it exists while defending assimilated, law-abiding immigrants who obey the same rules as everyone else — that’s patriotism, not partisanship.
The solution is straightforward: enforce the law fairly, root out fraud, restore confidence in immigration and refugee systems, and celebrate immigrants who embrace American values. Elected officials in Minneapolis and across the country should stop reflexively defending political narratives and start protecting citizens and immigrants alike by insisting on transparency and consequences for wrongdoing.
Hardworking Americans — whether born here or newly arrived — deserve neighborhoods free from fear and politicians who put country over party. If Somali Americans truly want to thrive here, they must stand with those who demand accountability, not with the obstructionists who shortchange both their safety and their future in this country.
