Trump Garbage Row: Why there are 80,000 Somali immigrants in Minnesota

For years, Donald Trump mocked Democrats for “changing” the character of American cities. But this week, as he launched fresh attacks on Somali immigrants in Minnesota, an old question returned to the national conversation: why does a cold Midwestern state have the largest Somali population in the United States? The answer is neither accidental nor mysterious. It’s a mix of history, war, employment, cultural alignment and the simple power of word-of-mouth. This is how Minnesota became the heart of Somali America. Minnesota’s Somali community — nearly 80,000 strong — has been thrust back into the spotlight after Trump labelled Somali immigrants “garbage” and said they should be sent “back to where they came from.” He also threatened to withdraw temporary legal protections,