“Where would America be without us?” A community of refugees is stunned by White House limits
In Minneapolis, where Somali refugees helped revitalize entire neighborhoods, the community was stunned by the presidential order capping annual refugee admissions at 7,500, the lowest number since the program began in 1980. Minnesota is home to the largest Somali community in the United States, roughly 87,000 people according to the latest census figures, most of whom live in the Minneapolis area. They have been coming to Minnesota, often as refugees, since the 1990s, drawn by generous social services and an ever-growing diaspora community. They have become increasingly prominent in the state. Somali-Americans have served on the Minneapolis and St. Paul city councils. They are in the state legislature. Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar represents part of the state in the U.S. House.