Crowded into the buzzing arena in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Salman Fiqy found himself only a few feet behind President Trump during a campaign rally last July. After arriving in the United States from Somalia back in 2009, Fiqy never expected to be contacted by a major political campaign—yet Trump’s team reached out, asking him to […]

After arriving in the United States from Somalia back in 2009, Fiqy never expected to be contacted by a major political campaign—yet Trump’s team reached out, asking him to help energize Somali-American voters before the election.

He took on the task with pride. But now, as a sweeping ICE operation targets Somali communities across the Twin Cities—and after hearing the president repeat harsh, blanket remarks about Somalis—Fiqy says his support has collapsed.

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    he declared, “I don’t want [Somalis] in our country.”

    The following day brought even stronger remarks, as he added, “The Somalians [sic] should be out of here. They’ve destroyed our country.”

    Hearing these words—offered with no proof—has been jarring for people like Fiqy, who once believed the Republican Party could build a real partnership with Somali Minnesotans.

    “That sort of language is dehumanizing and deeply hurtful,” Fiqy said, reflecting on the shock and disappointment within his community.