Minnesota’s Somali community is urging the U-S Department of Homeland Security to continue “Temporary Protected Status” for Somali nationals, who could otherwise be deported to a country struggling with civil unrest, food shortages and unemployment. State Representative Ilhan Omar says, “How unsafe that environment can be; how elements like Al Shabaab and the presence of Al-Quaeda really makes it hard for someone to re-integrate themselves into [the] community.” Omar adds, “There is the sort of suspicion that goes along with having lived abroad in a western country and now being seen as someone who is coming back and as a spy or what-not.”
A decision by the federal government is expected Thursday. If Temporary Protected Status is extended for Somalian nationals, they will be able to re-register to remain the U-S.