The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today condemned a sharp and troubling increase in ICE activity targeting Somali Minnesotans, calling these actions alarming, politically driven, and harmful to community safety.
Over the past several days, Somali families have reported unannounced ICE visits, intimidation at private homes, and increased surveillance in neighborhoods with large Somali populations. CAIR-MN is currently documenting cases and providing rapid-response legal and community support.
“What we are seeing is not normal immigration enforcement. It is political targeting,” said Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director of CAIR-Minnesota. “These actions appear to be coordinated attacks on Somali Minnesotans coming directly from President Trump and his allies. Sending federal agents to the homes of law-abiding Somali residents, many of whom are U.S. citizens, in secret-police style operations is an abuse of power. We urge leaders from both political parties to speak out against this scapegoating and Islamophobic targeting.”
CAIR-MN stressed that fear-based enforcement and collective punishment do nothing to protect public safety and instead deepen mistrust between communities and government agencies.
“In Minnesota, we believe in safety, fairness, and treating our neighbors with dignity,” Hussein added. “Targeting entire communities for the acts of individuals is wrong, dangerous, and contradicts the basic values we share as Minnesotans.”
CAIR-MN is the state’s leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACTS:
Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director, CAIR-MN 612-406-0070 jhussein@cair.com
Suleiman Adan, Deputy Executive Director, CAIR-MN 612-408-7183 — sadan@cair.com