Four Somali individuals and two advocacy organizations are challenging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s decision to revoke protected status for some Somalis residing in America, arguing the decision was discriminatory and procedurally flawed.
The African Communities Together and the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans are the advocacy groups involved in the lawsuit, which was filed in a Boston federal court.
The lawsuit references statements made by former President Trump in which he described Somalis as “garbage” and “low IQ people” who “contribute nothing,” according to reports.
Plaintiffs argue the termination of protected status is rooted in racist rhetoric, exhibiting a bias towards white people and a disregard for Somalians and nationals of other similar countries.
In January, outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis, effective March 17.
Noem claimed that conditions within Somalia had become more habitable despite continued conflict between Somali authorities and al-Shabaab militants.
“The termination of TPS for Somalia is racism masking as immigration policy,” said Omar Farah, executive director at the legal group Muslim Advocates, in a statement.
The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts recently focused on the sizable Somali community in Minnesota.
These actions, which included the deployment of approximately 3,000 immigration agents, were justified by officials who cited a fraud scandal involving members of the community.
This months-long increase in enforcement in Minnesota led to protests and the deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of federal officials.
After announcing in November that he would end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis in Minnesota, Trump stated a month later that he desired for them to be sent “back to where they came from.”
TPS for Somalians in the United States
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a humanitarian immigration status established by the United States in 1990.
It allows people from certain countries experiencing war, natural catastrophes, or severe instability to temporarily live and work in the United States without fear of deportation.
However, TPS does not give a road to permanent residency or citizenship; it must be renewed regularly by the United States government.
The designation has been extended several times over the last three decades due to the country’s continued instability, which includes conflict with the insurgent group Al-Shabaab, frequent droughts, and severe humanitarian problems.
The US administration has moved to remove TPS for Somalia, which is set to expire on March 17, 2026.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
