In the face of an escalating immigration crackdown by the Trump administration, a small but determined community in Minneapolis is standing up against it. Somali residents, many of whom are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, have been taking to the streets to patrol their neighborhoods and protect each other from agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
At the forefront of this resistance is Kamal Yusuf, a 25-year-old citizen who has dedicated himself to monitoring ICE activity in his community. Every day, from 8 am to 6 pm, Yusuf sets out on foot to scan for any signs of ICE presence, using his neon orange vest and black beanie as a beacon to alert others.
This grassroots movement is the brainchild of Abdi Rahman, a 28-year-old Somali American who co-founded a patrol group called the West Bank Watch Patrol. Rahman explains that while they can't directly confront federal agents, they can take control of their own community by building a network of volunteers and creating a presence that deters ICE from operating in the area.
"We realized we can't fight the federal government," Rahman said. "But we can come together and patrol the neighborhood, keep ICE out." This approach has allowed them to build a sense of solidarity and purpose among their community, with many residents taking part in daily patrols and providing support to those who are most vulnerable to arrest.
As the Trump administration's rhetoric against immigrants becomes increasingly vitriolic, Somali residents are bracing for a wave of targeted harassment. In fact, already this year, reports have emerged of Somali women being stopped by ICE agents at airports and border crossings, with some being detained without cause or any evidence of wrongdoing.
Despite these dangers, the Somali community in Minneapolis is refusing to back down. They have established a network of support groups and community centers that provide vital services such as language classes, job training, and advocacy for immigrant rights. These initiatives are not only helping Somalis build resilience but also fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment among the broader Somali American community.
In many ways, this resistance is reminiscent of the unrest that swept Minneapolis in 2020 following the police murder of George Floyd. The trauma of those events still lingers, but the Somali community has been galvanized to fight for their rights and protect their loved ones from harm.
"It's not just about us," said Jamal Osman, a Somali American filmmaker who helped organize an event at the Somali mall to boost local businesses and promote unity among the community. "We're fighting for all Minnesotans who are being targeted by this administration's policies."
As tensions rise in Minneapolis and across the country, it remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will ultimately succeed in its assault on immigration reform and the rights of Somali Americans. But one thing is certain: a small but fiercely determined community in Minneapolis is refusing to go quietly into the night.
"We are not garbage," said Saadia Saman, a Somali citizen who was recently stopped by ICE agents while driving through her neighborhood. "We're good people. We're Somali."
And as she spoke, hundreds of volunteers from the West Bank Watch Patrol were busy scanning the streets for any signs of federal activity – their determination to protect their community and defend their rights an inspiration to all who know them.
"We fled a civil war," said Mahmoud Hasan, a veteran community activist who has lived in Minneapolis since fleeing Somalia in the 1990s. "We are more resilient than they think."
For now, at least, Somali residents of Minneapolis remain resolute in the face of adversity – their resolve forged in the fires of trauma and resistance.
At the forefront of this resistance is Kamal Yusuf, a 25-year-old citizen who has dedicated himself to monitoring ICE activity in his community. Every day, from 8 am to 6 pm, Yusuf sets out on foot to scan for any signs of ICE presence, using his neon orange vest and black beanie as a beacon to alert others.
This grassroots movement is the brainchild of Abdi Rahman, a 28-year-old Somali American who co-founded a patrol group called the West Bank Watch Patrol. Rahman explains that while they can't directly confront federal agents, they can take control of their own community by building a network of volunteers and creating a presence that deters ICE from operating in the area.
"We realized we can't fight the federal government," Rahman said. "But we can come together and patrol the neighborhood, keep ICE out." This approach has allowed them to build a sense of solidarity and purpose among their community, with many residents taking part in daily patrols and providing support to those who are most vulnerable to arrest.
As the Trump administration's rhetoric against immigrants becomes increasingly vitriolic, Somali residents are bracing for a wave of targeted harassment. In fact, already this year, reports have emerged of Somali women being stopped by ICE agents at airports and border crossings, with some being detained without cause or any evidence of wrongdoing.
Despite these dangers, the Somali community in Minneapolis is refusing to back down. They have established a network of support groups and community centers that provide vital services such as language classes, job training, and advocacy for immigrant rights. These initiatives are not only helping Somalis build resilience but also fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment among the broader Somali American community.
In many ways, this resistance is reminiscent of the unrest that swept Minneapolis in 2020 following the police murder of George Floyd. The trauma of those events still lingers, but the Somali community has been galvanized to fight for their rights and protect their loved ones from harm.
"It's not just about us," said Jamal Osman, a Somali American filmmaker who helped organize an event at the Somali mall to boost local businesses and promote unity among the community. "We're fighting for all Minnesotans who are being targeted by this administration's policies."
As tensions rise in Minneapolis and across the country, it remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will ultimately succeed in its assault on immigration reform and the rights of Somali Americans. But one thing is certain: a small but fiercely determined community in Minneapolis is refusing to go quietly into the night.
"We are not garbage," said Saadia Saman, a Somali citizen who was recently stopped by ICE agents while driving through her neighborhood. "We're good people. We're Somali."
And as she spoke, hundreds of volunteers from the West Bank Watch Patrol were busy scanning the streets for any signs of federal activity – their determination to protect their community and defend their rights an inspiration to all who know them.
"We fled a civil war," said Mahmoud Hasan, a veteran community activist who has lived in Minneapolis since fleeing Somalia in the 1990s. "We are more resilient than they think."
For now, at least, Somali residents of Minneapolis remain resolute in the face of adversity – their resolve forged in the fires of trauma and resistance.
. But seriously, what's going on with this ICE situation is super concerning 
. These Somali communities are coming together to protect themselves and each other - it's amazing to see people taking matters into their own hands 
. As someone who's all about self-love & empowerment, I think we can learn a lot from the way they're building resilience in the face of adversity 
. It's not just about them though, it's about all of us being mindful of how our actions affect others 
. We need to keep spreading love & positivity wherever we go 
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. I mean, it's not about being anti-American or anything, they're just fighting for their rights and protection from persecution. And honestly, who can blame them? The Trump admin has been sending some pretty nasty vibes towards immigrants lately.
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This is insane 
! They're basically taking matters into their own hands because the gov't isn't doing enough 
. I mean, what's next? Armed patrols everywhere? That's not how you build trust or community 
. But at the same time, can we really blame them for trying to protect themselves? 
The Trump admin is being super aggressive with immigration policies and it's having a huge impact on people's lives 
. Somali residents are just one example of communities that are feeling the heat 
. Maybe this grassroots movement will show the gov't that they need to step up their game 
. It's not just the Somali community that's standing up against the Trump admin, it's a whole lot of other communities too, especially those with immigrant families 
.
. I mean, I've done my research, and there are already similar groups in other cities, like the Brown Berkeley Neighborhood Association 
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. We're human beings with rights and dignity 
. And yes, Somali residents have been fleeing civil wars and persecution for decades, so they've got some serious resilience going on 
. What do you think can be done to address immigration reform and protect immigrant communities? 
. I love how Jamal Osman said "we're fighting for all Minnesotans who are being targeted by this administration's policies" – it's not just about their community, but about justice for everyone! 
They're not gonna let ICE agents push them around without a fight 
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. Together, we can make a difference 
! They're not just fighting for themselves, but also for the greater good 
. And instead of giving up or getting discouraged, they're coming together and building a support network that's all about community love 
. They're showing us that resistance doesn't have to be about hate or anger - it can be about love, resilience, and solidarity 
. I guess you could say he's taking matters into his own hands. The fact that Abdi Rahman started the West Bank Watch Patrol is also a testament to how Somali Americans are coming together and supporting each other in times of need.
. The fact that Saadia Saman was stopped by ICE agents while driving through her neighborhood is super concerning, but it's also inspiring to see how she and others are standing up for themselves and their rights.
I'm so hyped for these Somali ppl in Minneapolis! They're like totally taking matters into their own hands against that crazy Trump admin 
! The fact that they're not gonna back down even when it gets tough is giving me LIFE 
the us immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed 
but instead of working together we're seeing people being targeted by ice agents 
what's even more disturbing is that some of these agents are targeting somali women at airports and border crossings, it's just not right 
something has to give, either the administration needs to work with communities or the community needs to take action 
Mahmoud Hasan's experience as a refugee has given him the strength to keep fighting, let's honor his courage and resilience 
The fact that these community members are using language classes, job training, and advocacy services to build resilience and belonging is amazing 
We need more people speaking truth to power like this! 
. And Jamal Osman's right, this isn't just about the Somali community - it's about fighting for the rights of ALL Minnesotans who are being targeted by these policies 
! But seriously, this Somali community in Minneapolis is FIGHTING BACK 
– who wouldn't want a neon orange vest and black beanie to signal "ICE-free zone"? 
And Abdi Rahman's West Bank Watch Patrol is on point 
. Now if only we could get a more solid layout for this article 
. and it's beautiful to see the sense of solidarity & purpose among their community. we need more ppl like them fighting for justice & equality 
. It's not just about fighting for their own rights, but for the rights of others in the community too 
. It's not just about individual actions, but collective efforts that bring people together and make a real difference 
they got each other's backs & are fighting for their rights it's like, we can't control the gov but we can control how we respond & take care of each other 
and btw ICE agents are just trying to do their job, but I guess some ppl get triggered by it 