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The Somali Connection
With all this Somali stuff in the headlines lately, I thought a little explanation would be helpful for those who don’t follow geopolitics.
The Somali community in Minnesota has been front and center in the news, and the stories range from immigration history… to fraud cases… to questions about national security.
Let’s break it down clearly, without spin, so you can understand what’s really going on.
Immigration Timeline (early 1990s onward)
First, we need to understand how the Somali population in the US took hold in Minnesota.
- Somalia collapsed in 1991 — no government meant civil war, famine, anarchy.
- Refugee pipelines opened, and the U.S. became a destination.
- Minnesota became the hub because resettlement agencies placed families there early.
- Once a community takes root, it grows: relatives join, networks expand, density builds.
By the mid‑1990s, Somali arrivals were accelerating. Families came directly through refugee programs, and others moved from states like New York and Texas to join relatives in Minnesota. That’s how the Twin Cities became the largest Somali community in America.
Why Minnesota?
- Jobs: Entry‑level work in meatpacking, manufacturing, logistics.
- Services: Strong social programs, nonprofits like Lutheran Social Service and Catholic Charities.
Watch the ENTIRE Story HERE:
