Newshour Trump says he does not want Somalis in US
Dec 3, 2025
Jelani Hussain, the Executive Director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, discusses the dangerous impact of President Trump's remarks on Somali immigrants. He emphasizes the citizenship and contributions of Somali Americans while outlining the risks of immigration enforcement. Den Jorunsen, the EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, shares insights on the EU's strategic plan to phase out Russian gas imports. These discussions cover critical implications for communities and international relations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Presidential Rhetoric Targets A Community
- Donald Trump publicly declared he "doesn't want" Somalis in the US, targeting an ethnic group rather than individuals.
- The remarks risk broadening enforcement and stigmatizing mostly-citizen Somali communities in Minnesota.
Appearance-Based Enforcement Risks Citizens
- Jacob Frey warned enforcement could detain US citizens simply because they "look like" Somali.
- He stressed that using appearance as a criterion violates due process and risks mistakes.
Community Resilience And Identity
- Jelani Hussain described Somali Americans as professionals who are largely US-born or naturalised citizens.
- He said the community has faced repeated political smears and remains resilient despite targeting.