President Trump continued his attacks on Somali immigrants on Thursday, accusing them, without producing evidence, of fraud. Trump zeroed in on Somalis in Minnesota and in Maine specifically.

“In Minnesota, we’re cracking down on the Somali scams, ending the brazen and shameless theft of taxpayer dollars,” Trump said. “It’s going on in Maine, too, with Somalis.”

Last month, Trump derided Somalia and its people using similar rhetoric, drawing the ire of Maine Governor Janet Mills and other state leaders.

“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 in December.

Also in December, Democratic state Reps. Rep. Mana Abdi of Lewiston, Deqa Dhalac of South Portland and Rep. Yusuf Yusuf of Portland, wrote in an open letter defending the Somali community: “An attack on Somali Americans, on TPS [Temporary Protected Status] holders, or on any immigrant community is an attack on all Americans. Maine is stronger when we stand together, reject dehumanization, and insist on a future rooted in safety, fairness, and shared belonging.”

On Tuesday, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Fox News that the Trump administration is ending temporary protection status for Somalis in the U.S. As a result, hundreds of migrants across the nation are now faced with deportation in two months. 

Noem says conditions have improved in Somalia and that allowing Somali nationals to remain is not in the national interest.

Maine 1st District Rep. Chellie Pingree (D) denounced the decision as cruel and vindictive, putting lives at risk including in Maine.

Pingree disputed the notion that conditions in Somalia have improved meaningfully, noting that the State Department has concerns including “a lack of functioning government, human trafficking, terrorism and murder.”

There are about 2,700 people of Somali descent living in Maine, with the largest groups in the Portland and the Lewiston-Auburn areas, many who are now second-generation Americans.

“Only a small number of Somali TPS holders live in our state, yet the consequences for them are enormous,” Pingree said. “Ending TPS for Somalis on March 17, with no grace period or automatic extension, means those who have lived, worked, and contributed to our communities for years will suddenly become vulnerable to detention and removal.”