Somali Americans hounded by ICE and rightwing ‘influencers’ on edge in Ohio: ‘I’m scared to go outside’
Somali Americans hounded by ICE and rightwing ‘influencers’ on edge in Ohio: ‘I’m scared to go outside’
Somali Americans hounded by ICE and rightwing ‘influencers’ on edge in Ohio: ‘I’m scared to go outside’
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/44242172
March 9, 2026
ICE agents have been turning up in cars around Somali-owned businesses and schools that teach children from immigrant backgrounds. Rightwing so-called “influencers”, including leaders at Turning Point USA, have followed suit.
Since then, Somali-owned businesses have struggled to attract customers and schools have closed due to low attendance fueled by the presence of federal agents and anti-immigrant provocateurs.
Today, the Somali community in Columbus, which numbers around 60,000 people, is still reeling from the fallout.