US President Donald Trump has unleashed a torrent of xenophobic rhetoric, labeling Somali immigrants "garbage" and calling for their deportation in a shocking display of intolerance.
During a cabinet meeting, Trump launched into a tirade against Somalis and Ilhan Omar, the congresswoman from Somalia who is a US citizen. He claimed that Somalia itself "stinks" and has "no good reason to be". Trump stated that Somali immigrants contribute nothing to American society and instead complained about their lives.
The president's comments have been met with outrage from lawmakers and community leaders, who argue that such rhetoric fuels hate and division. Trump also singled out Omar as "garbage", saying that the country would go in the wrong direction if it continued to accept people like her into its midst.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the US government is stepping up enforcement efforts against undocumented Somalis in Minnesota, a state with one of the largest Somali populations in the country. According to The New York Times, federal agents and immigration officers are being deployed to the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area to target those with final deportation orders.
Critics argue that such tactics will only serve to further marginalize and punish Somali Americans, who have made significant contributions to American society. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has vowed to stand in support of the community, saying that "we love you and we stand with you".
The move comes as a response to several high-profile cases involving Somali residents accused of fraud, but experts argue that this is not an acceptable reason for cracking down on immigration enforcement.
As Trump's rhetoric continues to fuel xenophobia and intolerance, many are left wondering what the consequences will be for those caught in the crossfire.
During a cabinet meeting, Trump launched into a tirade against Somalis and Ilhan Omar, the congresswoman from Somalia who is a US citizen. He claimed that Somalia itself "stinks" and has "no good reason to be". Trump stated that Somali immigrants contribute nothing to American society and instead complained about their lives.
The president's comments have been met with outrage from lawmakers and community leaders, who argue that such rhetoric fuels hate and division. Trump also singled out Omar as "garbage", saying that the country would go in the wrong direction if it continued to accept people like her into its midst.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that the US government is stepping up enforcement efforts against undocumented Somalis in Minnesota, a state with one of the largest Somali populations in the country. According to The New York Times, federal agents and immigration officers are being deployed to the Minneapolis-St Paul metro area to target those with final deportation orders.
Critics argue that such tactics will only serve to further marginalize and punish Somali Americans, who have made significant contributions to American society. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has vowed to stand in support of the community, saying that "we love you and we stand with you".
The move comes as a response to several high-profile cases involving Somali residents accused of fraud, but experts argue that this is not an acceptable reason for cracking down on immigration enforcement.
As Trump's rhetoric continues to fuel xenophobia and intolerance, many are left wondering what the consequences will be for those caught in the crossfire.