Somalis set to retain special status

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration says that Somalis granted special immigration status in the US can keep the designation, making them one of the few groups permitted to stay in the US under a programme that has allowed them to remain here for years.

Somalia was first designated for the special status in 1991, following the collapse of the authoritarian Siad Barre regime, and the designation had been extended in part because nationals feared returning because of the ongoing armed conflict there. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen cited the armed conflict and other extraordinary conditions in supporting the continuation of Somalia’s designation for about 500 people.

But the administration will not take on new applicants.

Those already with the status will be able to remain in the US and will be allowed to work until March 17, 2020.

Many Somalis have settled in Minnesota, which has the largest Somali population in the US Community and immigration advocates have said that returning to Somalia would be a death sentence for some and that it would separate families.

Democratic Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton wrote a letter to President Donald Trump on Tuesday, urging him to extend the special status. Mr Dayton’s letter said the conditions in Somalia are treacherous, and he pointed to a recent State Department advisory that tells people to avoid travelling to Somalia because of crime, terrorism and piracy. The advisory says those who do travel to Somalia should draft a will before travelling, name a family member to be a point of contact in the event of a hostage situation and leave a DNA sample in case it is needed to identify remains.

“Under those conditions, it would be horribly ‘Un-American’ to force innocent people to return to Somalia, to break up many of their families, and to forgo their chances to live safe and decent lives,’’ Mr Dayton wrote.

Members of Congress, including Democratic senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith of Minnesota, also wrote to the president, urging that the status be extended.

Advocates for Somali nationals who are living in the US said on Thursday they are relieved that about 500 Somalis will be able to reregister to extend their protected status for 18 months, but they are disappointed the administration didn’t do more. The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said if the administration would have redesignated the status, then more than 1,000 Somali nationals could have enrolled.

Mr Trump has said he wants to curtail legal immigration and has been cracking down broadly on illegal immigration.