Months after a significant surge in immigration agents in Minnesota was reportedly winding down, a palpable sense of fear continues to grip parts of the state, particularly within Minneapolis’s large Somali community. The enforcement operation, which previously drew national attention and protests, has left many residents in a state of apprehension.

Among those living in the shadows is Abdi, a 23-year-old Somali man whose identity has been protected. He describes constant vigilance, rarely staying in one location for more than five nights and discreetly leaving for work. Abdi’s concerns are amplified by reports from within his community that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are still conducting raids on homes. He notes that some of his friends, despite possessing documents proving Temporary Protected Status (TPS), have been detained. TPS allows individuals from conflict-affected nations to legally reside and work in the U.S. for a set period. The Trump administration’s attempt to terminate TPS for approximately 2,500 Somali immigrants was temporarily blocked by a federal judge, citing ongoing instability in their home country.

This climate of fear is exacerbated by the broader political landscape, including the administration’s efforts to end TPS for Somalis, the intensity of “Operation Metro Surge,” and President Donald Trump’s past disparaging comments about the Somali community. Many Somalis arrived in the U.S. following Somalia’s 1991 government collapse and have since fled chronic droughts and ongoing conflict, including the militant group al-Shabab. Abdi himself fled Somalia in 2022 after al-Shabab fighters allegedly attempted to recruit him, undertaking a perilous journey through the Darién Gap to reach the U.S. and apply for asylum and TPS, which granted him legal status until 2029.

The impact on the community is profound, with some joint U.S.-Somali citizens reportedly detained in ICE raids, and families traumatized by deportations. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey highlighted a perceived contradiction in federal policy, noting that while the government aims to end TPS for Somalis, it simultaneously warns citizens against travel to Somalia due to safety concerns. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, a vocal critic, described the tactics used during “Operation Metro Surge” as creating a “war zone” environment, contrasting it with previous administrations’ enforcement methods. While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintains the operation enhanced public safety by targeting “criminal illegal aliens,” community leaders and local politicians, including Minnesota Senator Jim Abeler, emphasize that the current immigration policy is a bipartisan failure. In response to the heightened tensions, faith leaders and residents have established informal alert systems, though tragically, two volunteers involved in these efforts lost their lives during the January surge. Despite these community efforts, Abdi’s sentiment reflects a widespread despair: “Our dream has been shattered.”