Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey refuses to cooperate with ICE, addresses crowd in Somali during speech

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey addressed a press conference on Tuesday, December 2, to formally respond to credible media reports that the federal government plans to target Somali immigrants in the Twin Cities this week.

While addressing the gathering, he spoke in Somali to directly connect with and reassure the community.

Other city leaders, including St Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Ward 6 Council Member Jamal Osman, Police Chief Brian O’Hara and also responded to these reports and addressed community members directly.

Jacob Frey addresses Somali community concerns

Frey was responding to a report in the New York Times that as many as 100 federal agents will be deployed to the Twin Cities with a specific purpose to target the Somali community.

“Obviously, this is a frightening moment for our Somali community,” he said.

Frey affirmed, "that's not American, that's not what we are about and we are going to do right by every single person in our cities," and he then addressed the gathering in Somali.

He emphasized that “Minneapolis is proud to be home to the largest Somali community in the country.”

Highlighting the unfairness and dangers of singling out a community, Frey stated, “To villainize an entire group is ridiculous under any circumstances.”

He reaffirmed the city’s commitment to inclusivity, “They are our neighbors, our friends, and our family – and they are welcome in our city. Nothing Donald Trump does will ever change that.”

Frey, stressing the serious consequences of singling out the Somali community, said, "Targeting Somali people means that due process will be violated, mistakes will be made."

He continued, "It means American citizens will be detained for no other reason than the fact that they look like they are Somali. That is not now and will never be a legitimate reason."

Concluding his address, he stressed, “To our Somali community, we love you and we stand with you. That commitment is rock solid.”

Donald Trump comments on Somali community

During a Tuesday cabinet meeting, President Trump escalated his inflammatory rhetoric toward Somalis, claiming they had contributed nothing to the United States.

Trump said, “I don’t want them in our country, I’ll be honest with you, Their country is no good for a reason. Their country stinks.”

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the president was "absolutely right to highlight the problems caused by the radical Somali migrants that the Democrats let invade our country and steal from American taxpayers."

Carter, the first Black mayor of his Twin City which is also home to many Somalis, said “Who (Trump) is attacking aren’t just Somalis - they are Somali-Americans.”

Citing the opening words to the preamble of the US Constitution, “We the People” as the phrase that launched the American experience, Carter said, “the sacred moments in American history are the moments we’ve had to decide who the ‘we’ is, who is included."