(RNS) — In recent days, faith leaders across the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area have organized to protect Somali communities and houses of worship as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents launched an operation targeting undocumented Somali immigrants.
The community expects a heavy presence of ICE agents at mosques in the Twin Cities during Jummah prayers (Dec. 5), said Khalid Omar, an organizer with the interfaith group Isaiah. He said local lay and faith leaders plan to gather outside mosques in the area to show solidarity with Muslim immigrants.
The Department of Homeland Security’s latest immigration enforcement operation began Wednesday (Dec. 3), the day after President Donald Trump denigrated Minnesota’s Somali community at a cabinet meeting, saying, “I don’t want them in our country, their country is no good for a reason. Their country stinks.” The president also criticized Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a U.S. citizen of Somali origin who represents part of Minneapolis.
“People are extremely fearful, and what Trump and his administration are doing is extremely dangerous to our community,” Omar, the Isaiah organizer, told Religion News Service. “He’s terrorizing our community.”
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In a statement, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said ICE agents targeted immigrants based on their status, not their race or ethnicity.
Over the past two days, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has hosted community events to educate lead …