Community Voices | Somali Americans in St. Cloud share impact of ICE

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents surged into greater Minnesota at the same time they clashed in the streets with residents of the Twin Cities. 

The federal government’s Operation Metro Surge sent thousands of agents into the Minneapolis metro area beginning in December 2025. 

Agents have detained and arrested immigrants and protestors across the state. Many have been charged with assaulting or impeding federal officers, including citizens living in the St. Cloud area. Reports across the state show residents in targeted groups are staying home to avoid interactions with agents.

On February 4, Project Optimist helped coordinate a press conference to connect Somali Americans in St. Cloud with members of the news media. 

Somali American Rights Coalition

The event featured a new community group responding to ICE activity around St. Cloud called the Somali American Rights Coalition. A representative from the group read a statement addressing “widespread fear, trauma, and economic disruption within Somali-American and immigrant communities,” caused by federal operations in the state. 

Citizens face charges

The conference also featured Mohamed Abdirizak Jama, a St. Cloud resident and citizen, who was arrested twice and charged with one count of “assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, and interfere with … U.S. Border Patrol Agents who were engaged in ... the performance of official duties, and such acts involved the use of a dangerous or deadly weapon,” according to the criminal complaint. 

Jama told a group of reporters that he wanted to share his version of those interactions. He recounted being followed and hit by unmarked vehicles without sirens before he pulled his vehicle over and surrendered.

Here are the stories that emerged from that press conference 

CBS: St. Cloud man arrested twice by ICE shares story of confusion, terror (Published by WCCO, Patch, MSN.com)

KZYS Radio: Somali American Rights Coalition Responds to ICE Activity in St. Cloud, Minnesota

St. Cloud Live: St. Cloud man details multiple arrests by federal immigration agents, disputes accusation of assault

This list was last updated on Feb. 10, 2026. The text was edited by Becca Most.