LD. 📰 Ilhan Omar Pushes Back Against Trump’s Move to Revoke Somali TPS: “This Isn’t Over.” LD
Minnesota — A political storm erupted this week after President Donald Trump announced his intention to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals residing in Minnesota, sparking immediate backlash from immigrant-rights groups, legal scholars, and lawmakers — including Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, one of the nation’s most prominent voices on immigration policy.
In a sharply worded statement, Omar questioned both the legality and the motive behind the administration’s decision.
“Trump’s announcement is legally problematic — while a president does have a lot of authority to designate and revoke TPS, he cannot legally wield that power to discriminate against an ethnic group or to target a state, like Minnesota. This ain’t over.”
The TPS program, originally created to protect individuals from countries facing armed conflict, natural disasters, or extraordinary instability, has long been a lifeline for Somali families who fled decades of war and turmoil. Minnesota, home to one of the largest Somali-American communities in the United States, would be among the most heavily impacted regions should the revocation proceed.
Legal Experts Split on Trump’s Authority
Immigration attorneys note that while presidents historically hold broad discretion in designating or ending TPS status, any action perceived as targeting a specific ethnic group could face constitutional challenges under equal protection principles.
Some legal analysts argue that the administration must demonstrate a country-condition-based rationale, not a political or demographic motive — a distinction that could become central if the order is challenged in court.
Political Battlelines Drawn Across Minnesota
Supporters of the move say Trump is merely recalibrating a system that has been “extended indefinitely without review,” arguing that TPS was never meant to become a permanent immigration path. Critics, however, warn that revoking protections without a clear safety plan could destabilize thousands of Minnesota families who have lived, studied, worked, and built communities in the state for decades.
Community leaders described widespread anxiety and confusion as families seek clarification on what the announcement means for their legal status, employment, and long-term security.
“This Fight Is Far From Finished”
Omar’s vow to challenge the order sets the stage for what could become a major national legal and political battle. Immigrant-rights groups are already mobilizing, and Democratic lawmakers are signaling support for legislative or court-based interventions.
Washington observers say the conflict could escalate into a broader examination of presidential power over humanitarian immigration programs.
For now, one thing is clear:
Minnesota, home to the nation’s largest Somali diaspora, is bracing for a major legal and political showdown.
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