Oregon Somali Leaders Push Back After Trump’s Remarks and Targeted Immigration Crackdown

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.