Document text
Oregon Somali Leaders Push Back After Trump’s Remarks and Targeted Immigration Crackdown News By Lucille McNamara On Dec 23, 2025 Friday, September 26th, 2025 - Trump takes questions in Oval Office. Somali Oregonians are not defined by the insults of President Donald Trump, says former Somali refugee and Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama (D-E Portland, Boring & Damascus). He was responding to the Trump administration’s intensive immigration enforcement operation targeting Somalians in Minneapolis earlier this month. The operation coincided with the president’s disparaging comments about Somali immigrants. Jama was addressing a dinner with Somalians from the Portland community on Friday evening, attended by Governor Tina Kotek, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, and Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fai. The dinner was organized by the African Youth and Community Organization (AYCO), where elected leaders expressed support for Oregon’s Somali community, condemning the federal government’s ‘inflammatory rhetoric and targeted immigration enforcement operations.’ “I firmly oppose the disgraceful, hateful statements made by President Trump against the Somali-American community,” said Governor Kotek. Her support was echoed by Sen. Merkley, who described Oregon’s Somali community as ‘a powerful force for good in our state.’ “The Somali American community will not bow to hate,” said AYCO executive director Jamal Dar. He told diners that Somali immigrants are fully American Muslims. “We respond with peace and dignity, and our honor has never been diminished.” AYCO was founded in 2009 as a culturally specific, community-based nonprofit organization led by and for the East African immigrant and refugee community in the Portland metro area. Tidings Data Snapshot Oregon Somali Community In Numbers 12k to 15k Estimated Somalis living in Oregon 2009 AYCO founded in Portland metro 582 Somali students in Portland Public Schools 2015 to 2016 822 Somali students in Multnomah County 2016 50 Somalia refugee arrivals to Oregon in FY2024 Source: Multnomah County Somali Community Needs Assessment (2016) / U.S. Dept of State PRM Refugee Arrivals by State and Nationality FY2024 Dailytidings.com Share Twitter Facebook ReddIt WhatsApp Pinterest Email