Key takeaways:

• A top lawmaker wrongly said Somalis commit 80% of Twin Cities crimes.
• Police data group Somali-Americans with other Black residents.
• Real numbers show far fewer Somali crime cases than claimed.
• False claims fuel fear and harm community trust.

On national television, Rep. Tom Emmer said, “Eighty percent of the crimes in the Twin Cities are being committed by Somalis.” That is not true. In fact, law enforcement never tracks nationality. Instead, it logs race and sometimes ethnicity. This mix makes precise Somali crime figures impossible. Moreover, local Somali leaders now worry about rising hate and mistrust.

Why Somali Crime Stats Matter

Crime statistics shape how people think and vote. When leaders repeat wrong facts, they spread fear. First, police reports depend on crimes that get reported. Unreported incidents never make it into any chart. Second, bias in policing can affect who gets arrested. A federal review found the Minneapolis Police Department treated Black people unfairly. As a result, Somali crime numbers face built-in errors. They mix Somali-Americans with all Black and African-American people. Finally, fair policy demands clear data, not guesswork.

What Emmer Said on TV

Emmer made his remarks on a business news channel. He claimed most crimes in the Twin Cities came from Somali-Americans. Then he added, “It’s not that all Somalis are criminals, but 80 percent of the crimes are.” He made similar comments over the summer. Meanwhile, former President Trump also used harsh language against Somali people. Trump called them “garbage” at a recent cabinet meeting. Such words can push the Somali crime narrative even further from the truth.

What the Data Actually Shows

State and county dashboards break down arrests by race, not nationality. For instance, the Minnesota crime dashboard shows that since 2021, 37 percent of arrests involved Black people. Somali-Americans make up only a slice of that group. Thus, Somali crime never reaches 80 percent of arrests. Moreover, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office reports that 57 percent of its cases since 2018 named a Black or African-American suspect. Even then, this data combines all Black residents. Consequently, any Somali crime narrative that claims 80 percent is wildly off.

Impact on the Somali Community

False claims leave real scars. Many Somali families now fear random police stops. Some hesitate to call 911 when they see a crime. They worry about being unfairly targeted. In addition, young Somali students report bullying in schools. That stress can hurt their grades and mental health. Somali business owners say customer traffic has dropped. They feel blamed for crimes they did not commit. Overall, hate speech and fake stats harm both individuals and local economies.

Emmer’s Changing Stance

A decade ago, Emmer defended Somali immigrants in St. Cloud. At a 2015 town hall, he said he supported legal immigrants. He noted that Germans, Polish, and Chinese newcomers faced early struggles too. He even called a proposed Somali ban “un-American” and unconstitutional. Now his words have shifted. Today he echoes the same harsh tone he once opposed. This flip in tone shows how political winds can change views on immigration and crime.

The Danger of False Claims

Wrong statements from a lawmaker can trigger serious harm. First, they can sway public opinion through fear. When people worry about crime, they back harsher laws. Second, targeting one group can lead to racial profiling. That can erode civil rights in a community. Moreover, when trust between police and Somali residents breaks, real criminals slip through. In order to keep neighborhoods safe, we need honest crime data. We also need leaders who resist using hate for votes.

How Communities Can Respond

Community groups, leaders, and everyday citizens can fight back against false claims. First, journalists should demand real sources from public figures. News outlets can host panels to dissect crime data. Second, faith groups and nonprofits can hold workshops on reading crime dashboards. They can show how data can mislead without context. Third, city councils can ask police to report stops and arrests by ethnicity. That would help shine light on any bias. Fourth, schools can invite Somali students to share their stories with classmates. Personal connections can break down stereotypes. If all these steps work together, we can replace fear with facts.

Moving Forward with Facts

Ultimately, our safety depends on truth. We must expose the Somali crime myth for what it is—a baseless claim with no evidence. By focusing on accurate data, we can build trust between communities and law enforcement. Moreover, we can push for fair policies that protect everyone’s rights. As citizens, we should hold leaders accountable when they spread falsehoods. Only then can we create neighborhoods where all residents feel safe and respected.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do police track crime data?

Police departments record crime counts by type, location, race, and sometimes ethnicity. They do not record a person’s country of origin or nationality.

Why can’t we find exact Somali crime rates?

Crime dashboards group Somali-Americans with all Black and African-American people. No official chart separates Somali offenders from other groups.

What harm comes from false crime claims?

False claims can fuel fear and hate. They may lead to unfair laws, racial profiling, and broken trust between communities and police.

How can leaders ensure accurate crime reporting?

Leaders can support transparent data releases, ask for ethnic breakdowns where legal, and avoid repeating unverified statistics.