SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Friday evening, President Donald Trump announced his intention to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali Minnesotans. DFL legislative leaders issued the following statements:
House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson:
“Last night’s announcement illustrates the worst of what Donald Trump does best. His policies are driving up the cost of everything from food to health care and he knows it. But instead of actually trying to solve these problems, Trump tries to change the subject by pitting Minnesotans against one another. Scapegoating our Somali neighbors won’t bring down the cost of groceries. Minnesotans know that the Somali community is part of the fabric of our state. We’ll always stand with our Somali neighbors when shameless politicians like Donald Trump try to use them for their political purposes.”
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy:
“Donald Trump is villainizing a small number of residents of Minnesota who came to this country seeking refuge from armed conflict and famine. They are the victims of violence and worthy of our protection and compassion. Ending their protected status would not make Minnesotans safer, but it would return these families to the danger they fled. This is a cruel, illegal order from a corrupt and vindictive President. We must reject his impulses to divide neighbors with hate and fear.”