Washington, DC – In a provocative Thanksgiving post on his social media platform Truth Social, US President Donald Trump unleashed a scathing critique of America’s immigration policies, blaming them for widespread social and economic woes. The message, shared on 28 November 2025, combined holiday greetings with pledges for sweeping reforms, including a permanent pause on migration from what he termed “Third World Countries” and mass deportations.

Trump’s post, which has garnered over 47,000 likes and thousands of reposts, described the US foreign-born population as standing at 53 million, claiming most are reliant on welfare and originate from “failed nations, or from prisons, mental institutions, gangs, or drug cartels.” He argued that this “refugee burden” is the primary driver of issues such as high crime, urban decay, overcrowded hospitals, and failing schools – problems he insisted were absent in post-World War II America.

Recent US Census Bureau data, however, estimates the foreign-born population at approximately 46.2 million as of 2022, representing about 13.9% of the total population, with a median age of 46.7 years and 75.1% having completed high school or higher. While the figure has grown from around 40 million in 2010, Trump’s cited number appears higher than official estimates, potentially including broader categories or projections.

The President highlighted the financial strain, alleging that a migrant earning $30,000 annually with a green card receives roughly $50,000 in yearly family benefits. Green card holders, or lawful permanent residents, are indeed eligible for certain federal benefits after meeting work requirements, such as Social Security after 10 years of contributions, in-state tuition rates, and limited financial aid for education. However, no direct government source confirms an automatic $50,000 package; benefits vary by programme, family size, and income, with restrictions on many forms of public assistance to avoid creating a “public charge.”

Trump singled out Minnesota as an example of immigration’s alleged failures, claiming “hundreds of thousands of refugees from Somalia are completely taking over” the state, with “Somalian gangs roving the streets looking for ‘prey.'” He lambasted Governor Tim Walz as “seriously retarded” and “incompetent,” and accused Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of entering the US illegally by marrying her brother, while criticising her for complaining about America despite Somalia’s challenges.

Minnesota hosts the largest Somali-American community in the US, largely resettled as refugees since the 1990s. While some Somali gangs, such as the Somali Outlaws and Somali Mafia, have been linked to violence, drug trafficking, and even recruitment for groups like al-Shabaab, law enforcement officials emphasise that the vast majority of the community is law-abiding. Crime rates in Somali-dense areas like Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside have risen at times, but experts attribute this to socioeconomic factors rather than ethnicity alone. Governor Walz has previously advocated for increased refugee resettlement, even amid reports of gang activity.

Allegations against Omar, a Somali-American and naturalised US citizen who arrived as a refugee, have circulated since 2016, centring on her 2009 marriage to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, whom critics claim was her brother to facilitate immigration fraud. Omar has repeatedly denied the claims, calling them baseless and Islamophobic, and no federal charges or conclusive investigations have resulted in action against her. The rumours have been amplified by political opponents, including Trump, but remain unproven.

Outlining his agenda, Trump promised to “terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions,” end federal benefits for non-citizens, denaturalise those who “undermine domestic tranquility,” and deport any foreign national deemed a “public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.” He concluded: “Only REVERSE MIGRATION can fully cure this situation. Other than that, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL, except those that hate, steal, murder, and destroy everything that America stands for — You won’t be here for long!”

The message has sparked polarised reactions. Supporters on social media hailed it as a “must-read” and “massive news,” praising Trump’s forthrightness on border security. Critics, however, decried it as an “insane” and “anti-immigrant screed,” accusing the President of xenophobia and fascist rhetoric on a day meant for unity. Media outlets described it as a “blistering” holiday rant, with some noting its alignment with Trump’s 2024 campaign promises amid ongoing debates over immigration reform.

As Trump prepares for his second term, this statement signals an intensified focus on immigration, potentially setting the stage for contentious legislative battles in the new year.

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