Somali people in Maine and state leaders are pushing back against comments President Donald Trump made about Somali people.

Among other remarks, the president said this week that he does not want Somalis in the United States.

“They contribute nothing. I don’t want them in our country,” Trump said. “Their country is no good for a reason. Your country stinks and we don’t want them in our country.”

Safiya Khalid, who served as Lewiston’s first Somali American city councilor from 2021-2022 and now runs the nonprofit Community Organizing Alliance, emphasized that Somali people have positively contributed to the U.S. and said she was shocked by the president's remarks. 

“For a sitting president of the most powerful country to target one ethnic group is unheard of and un-American,” said Khalid. “For a president to degrade people like that publicly is really shameful.”

She added: “Somalia people, whether in Maine our across the country, have contributed a lot to this country. There are now generations who have been born in the United States.”

Maine’s first Somali Americans to serve in the Maine House of Representatives also denounced the president’s comments.

On Thursday, Rep. Mana Abdi, D-Lewiston, Rep. Deqa Dhalac, D-South Portland and Rep. Yusuf Yusuf, D-Portland, issued an open letter. 

“An attack on Somali Americans, on TPS holders, or on any immigrant community is an attack on all Americans,” the letter reads, in part. “Maine is stronger when we stand together, reject dehumanization, and insist on a future rooted in safety, fairness, and shared belonging.”

Democratic Governor Janet Mills said the president’s comments about Somalis were “shameful.”

“By demeaning those who come to this country seeking freedom, safety, and opportunity, the President, who is the son and grandson of immigrants himself, is demeaning the very idea and spirit of America,” Mills said.

According to the latest U.S. Census data, around 3,500 Somalis currently live in Maine. 

In Lewiston, Mayor Carl Sheline said the city has an active Somali community.

“Here, Somali entrepreneurs are business owners and hard workers, creating jobs and strengthening our local economy,” Sheline said in a statement to Spectrum News. “Their active role within our city has been instrumental in Lewiston's revitalization, making such rhetoric not only cruel but clearly false.”

Khalid added that she feels it’s important to highlight the work that is being done by Somali people and show support for the community.

“There’s this stereotype of immigrants taking jobs and immigrants not contributing,” said Khalid. “But if you really look at it, there’s a large population of Somalia people and newly arrived immigrants who have created thriving, flourishing businesses.”