Demonstrations and vigils are expected to continue in Minneapolis today as residents grapple with the fatal shooting of a woman by a U.S. immigration officer during a major enforcement operation in the Twin Cities.
Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot in the head on Wednesday by an officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The shooting occurred on the second day of an intensified immigration crackdown ordered by the administration of Donald Trump in Minneapolis and neighbouring St. Paul.
Minnesota has become a focal point in the national immigration debate, fuelled by Trump’s repeated criticism of Democratic state leaders, including Governor Tim Walz, who was the 2024 vice-presidential running mate of Kamala Harris. Trump has also made derogatory remarks about Minnesota’s Somali population, further escalating tensions.
Last month, Trump referred to the Somali community as “garbage” following a federal investigation into COVID-19 and medical aid fraud linked to organizations serving Somali immigrants and other groups. Community leaders have strongly rejected the characterization.
Saleban Duale, who goes by Sal, said the actions of a few individuals should not define an entire community. He emphasized that Somali Minnesotans have made significant contributions to the state and said several Somali organizations plan to hold a vigil this afternoon at the site where Good was killed.
The shooting has deeply shaken the community as more than 2,000 ICE officers were deployed across the region in what the Department of Homeland Security described as the largest immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history. Federal authorities have cited concerns about fraud as justification for the operation, with Trump portraying Minnesota as a centre of government abuse.
The president has also repeatedly targeted Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, who is Somali, and has said he would end temporary protected status for Somalis living in the state.
Tensions increased further last month after a conservative social media influencer circulated unverified claims that Somali-run daycare centres in Minneapolis were committing fraud and operating without registered children. Shortly after, the Trump administration announced it would withhold funding for programs supporting low-income families with children in five Democratic-led states, including Minnesota, citing fraud concerns.
Duale said the situation has taken a toll on the Somali community, which is large and relatively young.
“For the community, I think we’ve kind of gotten numb to it,” he said. “We know we are not fraudsters. We know how much we contribute.”
Duale is part of Somali Neighbours, a collective that produces clothing and accessories to visibly support the community. He noted that Somalis are not alone in facing political targeting, pointing to Trump’s previously debunked claims about Haitians during his presidential campaign.
“We are not the only ones,” Duale said. “It is our moment to carry this burden. He is targeting all minority communities.”
Adding to the broader controversy, federal immigration agents in Oregon shot and wounded two people earlier this week during a vehicle stop outside a Portland hospital. The Department of Homeland Security said the passenger was a Venezuelan national allegedly affiliated with the Tren de Aragua criminal network and connected to a recent shooting in the city. Authorities said the driver attempted to run over officers after agents identified themselves.