Donald Trump Criticizes Somali Immigrants, Urges Them to Return to Their Country
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has caused widespread outrage with his remarks targeting Somali immigrants in the United States.
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting at the State House on Tuesday, December 2, Trump openly stated that he does not want Somali immigrants in the country and suggested they should return to Somalia to “fix” their homeland.
Trump’s Comments on Somalia
In his remarks, Trump made highly disparaging statements about Somalia and its people. He claimed that Somalia “is barely a country” and argued that the nation lacks any real structure or development.
According to him, the country is plagued by violence and chaos, with people “just running around killing each other.” Trump said:
“I don’t want them in our country, I’ll be honest with you. Somebody will say, ‘Oh, that’s not politically correct.’ I don’t care. They really have a bad policy.”
He further criticized Somalia for having poor governance, contributing little to development, and relying heavily on foreign aid.
Somalis in Minnesota
Trump’s comments came amid reports of an immigration enforcement operation planned in Minnesota, a state known for its large Somali community. He accused Somali immigrants of taking advantage of government resources, claiming:
“There is something wrong with them. They have ripped off Minnesota of billions of dollars, and they contribute nothing. The welfare is like 88%. Their country is no good for a reason. Their country stinks. They are people who do nothing but complain. They came from hell and complain. Let them go back to where they came from and fix it.”
Trump also warned that the United States is reaching a “tipping point” if it continues to admit what he referred to as “garbage,” implying immigrants from countries he considers poorly governed or underdeveloped.
Attack on Ilhan Omar
In addition to criticizing Somali immigrants, Trump directed harsh remarks toward Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat and the first Somali-American elected to Congress.
He described her as a “terrible person” who “hates everybody” and called both her and her associates “garbage.” This continues a long-standing pattern of public clashes between Trump and Omar.
Immigration Policies and Self-Deportation Program
As part of his administration’s strict immigration approach, Trump offered $1,000 (approximately KSh 129,300) for illegal immigrants willing to self-deport.
Immigrants are required to submit their details through the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mobile app to participate.
Furthermore, the Trump administration ordered a temporary suspension of visa applications and a review of green card cases from 19 countries, including several African nations.
The policy aims to reduce the number of immigrants entering the United States, particularly from developing countries.
Among the affected African nations are Somalia, Chad, Eritrea, Togo, Burundi, Sudan, Libya, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
Broader Context
Trump’s remarks and immigration policies reflect his administration’s broader stance on limiting immigration from countries he considers unstable or economically disadvantaged.
His statements have drawn criticism from human rights advocates and members of the Somali-American community, who argue that such comments are discriminatory and fail to recognize the positive contributions of Somali immigrants in the United States.
Join Gen z Official WhatsApp Channel to share your thoughts and stay updated on time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
