Somali Americans hounded by ICE and rightwing influencers' on edge in Ohio: I'm scared to go outside'

"We're exposing all of you. Every single one of you, you're all going back. Then in the early hours of New Year's Day, there was a break-in at the daycare. It was heart-breaking to me, said Abukar Mohammed, a part-owner of the business. I never thought that in America there would be racial things, that this could happen in America. I was shocked."

"Last December, Donald Trump repeatedly used racist language to attack the Somali American community, claiming the Somalis are ripping off the country. Then days later, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched Operation Buckeye in what it called an effort to target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in Columbus and throughout Ohio."

"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."

Starting in late December, men circled a Somali-owned daycare in Columbus, threatening residents with deportation. A break-in followed on New Year's Day. These incidents escalated after Donald Trump made racist statements about Somali Americans, claiming they exploit the country. ICE subsequently launched Operation Buckeye targeting undocumented immigrants in Ohio. Federal agents and right-wing influencers, including Turning Point USA leaders, have since conducted surveillance around Somali-owned businesses and immigrant schools. The Columbus Somali community of approximately 60,000 people now experiences widespread fear and economic hardship. Businesses struggle to attract customers while schools face declining attendance due to the intimidating federal and vigilante presence. Community members report feeling unsafe and questioning their place in America.

Read at www.theguardian.com