The Michael Knowles Show What Somalia Did For America In 5 Mins
Dec 13, 2025
Explore the viral claim that Somalis built America as the host dissects its origins and the actual historical context. Discover the timeline of Somali immigration, from early sailors to the refugee influx after political turmoil in Somalia. Learn about the contributions of the Somali community, including mosques and businesses, alongside discussions of remittances and welfare issues. Finally, the argument concludes that while Somalis played a role in the U.S., the true narrative is about the wealth flowing back to Somalia.
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Somalis Arrived Long After America's Founding
- Michael Knowles asserts Somalis arrived in meaningful numbers only after the 1920s and mostly after 1991 due to civil war and refugee flows.
- He contrasts this timeline with colonial settlement and the founding events of the United States to dispute the claim that Somalis "built" America.
Refugee Policy And War Drove Somali Migration
- Knowles cites immigration data showing fewer than 2,100 Somali natives lived in the U.S. by 1990 and nearly 100,000 by 2011 due to refugee policies.
- He links the 1980 refugee policy and 1991 Somali civil war to the post-1990 surge in Somali arrivals.
Local Contributions Versus Foundational Nation Building
- Knowles acknowledges Somali immigrants built mosques, halal shops, and sent remittances back to Somalia as primary contributions.
- He emphasizes remittances and community institutions rather than foundational American achievements.