Somali-born Minnesota state lawmaker claims ICE raids are symptom of ‘authoritarian government’

Minnesota state senator Zaynab Mohamed appeared on CNN, where she condemned the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the state as the work of an “authoritarian government.” The Trump administration has recently ramped up ICE enforcement in the state following reports that mass fraud was linked to some in the Somali community of Minnesota.

Mohamed, who has served in the state senate since 2023 and is originally from Somalia, made the remarks on CNN. “We are in a defining moment in our state and in our country to stand up to what is happening, and what we are seeing is an actual authoritarian government take place,” Mohamed said.

“It has been a difficult few weeks…ICE agents have been here since Monday…deployed by the hundreds, spread across the state of Minnesota,” she added.

The Department of Homeland Security recently reported that at least a dozen criminal illegal immigrants were arrested during Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, including five Somali nationals. Authorities say one Somali immigrant, Abdul Dahir Ibrahim, was previously convicted of welfare fraud in Canada and should not have been granted temporary status in the US. He was also seen photographed with Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar and Governor Tim Walz.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the operation, saying, "Sanctuary policies and politicians like Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey allowed these pedophiles, domestic terrorists, and gang members to roam the streets and terrorize Americans. ICE law enforcement are risking their lives to protect Minnesotans while their own elected officials sit by and do nothing. No matter when and where, ICE will find, arrest, and deport ALL criminal illegal aliens.”

The focus on Somali migrants comes amid broader controversy regarding fraud in the state. The Trump administration has raised concerns about social services fraud in Minnesota, claiming the state has become “a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity” and alleging that Somali refugees have disproportionately benefited from state programs. A White House statement earlier this month noted that “78 of the 86 individuals charged so far are of Somali ancestry.”