Somali Immigration Sparks Irrational Backlash
False Assumption: Concerns about Somali Muslim refugees in St. Cloud arise from irrational Islamophobia rather than real security risks.
Written by FARAgent on February 10, 2026
St. Cloud, Minnesota enjoyed the lowest crime rate in America in the 1980s. The town was all-white, mostly North Central European. Children behaved well. Cold weather deterred muggers.
Somalis arrived. The black population, almost all Somali, grew by an order of magnitude from 2000 to 2020. Tensions rose. In 2016, a Somali stabbed nine at a mall. ISIS claimed him as a soldier. Minnesota saw federal probes into nine Somali-Minnesotans joining ISIS. Dozens more went to Al-Shabaab.
CAIR warned of anti-Muslim backlash. The New York Times portrayed white opponents as xenophobes pushing racist theories. Local activist John Palmer called Islamophobia a hoax. Critics divide over resettlement. Growing evidence of recruitment and violence raises questions about risks, though media frames resistance as prejudice.
People Involved
- In the wake of the 2016 mall stabbing in St.
- Cloud, Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the CAIR chapter in Minnesota, warned of potential anti-Muslim backlash. He pushed the narrative that community division stemmed from anti-Muslim organizing. [1]
- On the other side, John Palmer, a former university professor and local activist, formed Concerned Community Citizens to oppose Somali resettlement. He warned that refugees posed real risks and viewed the Islamophobia narrative as false. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (2)
““We are also concerned about the potential backlash,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) chapter in Minnesota. “We understand in St. Cloud there is more anti-Muslim organizing and we hope they do not use this incident to divide … our community.””— St. Cloud, Somalia
“John Palmer, a former university professor, has always had a cause. ... Now he has a new goal: curbing the resettlement of Somali refugees in St. Cloud... “The very word ‘Islamophobia’ is a false narrative,” Mr. Palmer, 70, said. “A phobia is an irrational fear.””— St. Cloud, Somalia
Organizations Involved
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Minnesota chapter promoted fears of anti-Muslim backlash after the mall attack. It defended the Somali community against local concerns. [1] The New York Times published an article framing white St. Cloud residents who opposed Somali refugees as pushing an anti-Muslim agenda and racist theories. It profited from stoking this narrative against locals. [1] St. Cloud city government, under Mayor Dave Kleis, supported refugee resettlement. It drew criticism for not denouncing opposition groups. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (3)
““We are also concerned about the potential backlash,” said Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) chapter in Minnesota.”— St. Cloud, Somalia
“‘These People Aren’t Coming From Norway’: Refugees in a Minnesota City Face a Backlash As more Somali refugees arrive in St. Cloud, white anti-immigration activists have pressed an increasingly explicit anti-Muslim agenda.”— St. Cloud, Somalia
“Dave Kleis, the mayor of St. Cloud ... has voiced support for the resettlement program, but he has also drawn criticism for not forcefully denouncing groups like C-Cubed”— St. Cloud, Somalia
The Foundation
The assumption rested on the term 'Islamophobia', cited as evidence that fears of Somalis were irrational. This generated sub-beliefs that opposition equaled racism and that resettlement posed no demographic or security threats. [1] Critics argue these foundations overlooked potential risks, though the debate persists.
▶ Supporting Quotes (1)
““The very word ‘Islamophobia’ is a false narrative,” Mr. Palmer, 70, said. “A phobia is an irrational fear.” Raising his voice, he added, “An irrational fear! There are many reasons we are not being irrational.””— St. Cloud, Somalia
How It Spread
Media outlets like CNN and the New York Times spread the backlash narrative right after the 2016 attack. They amplified concerns over anti-Muslim sentiment while downplaying the Somali perpetrator's ISIS ties. [1] The StarTribune reported on tensions between Somali Muslims and the larger community. It framed local resistance as division rather than a response to risks. [1] This coverage helped sustain the idea amid growing questions.
▶ Supporting Quotes (2)
“Fortunately, the Frontlash quickly surged into traditional action: Community leaders fear anti-Muslim backlash, call for unity.”— St. Cloud, Somalia
“St. Cloud is home to one of Minnesota’s larger immigrant Muslim communities and tensions with some members in the larger community have spiked at times, the StarTribune reported.”— St. Cloud, Somalia
Resulting Policies
The Somali refugee resettlement program placed thousands in St. Cloud. It continued despite local opposition and gained support from Mayor Dave Kleis. [1] Mounting evidence challenges whether this policy adequately addressed security concerns, but the matter remains contested.
▶ Supporting Quotes (1)
“Dave Kleis, the mayor of St. Cloud and a longtime Republican who now identifies as an independent, has voiced support for the resettlement program”— St. Cloud, Somalia
Harm Caused
In 2016, a Somali man stabbed nine people at the St. Cloud mall. He was killed by an off-duty police officer, and ISIS claimed responsibility. [1] Nine Somali-Minnesotans were convicted or pleaded guilty in an ISIS plot. Several dozen joined Al-Shabaab, pointing to recruitment risks from the community. [1] Critics argue these events highlight harms tied to the assumption, though experts remain divided.
▶ Supporting Quotes (2)
“The man who stabbed nine people at a Minnesota mall Saturday before being shot dead by an off-duty police officer was a “soldier of the Islamic state,” according to an ISIS-linked news agency.”— St. Cloud, Somalia
“The state was at the center of a federal investigation into the recruitment of fighters for ISIS. Nine Somali-Minnesotans were convicted at trial or pleaded guilty in a plot to travel to Syria to join ISIS. In years back, several dozen male residents left to join Al-Shabaab”— St. Cloud, Somalia
Downfall
The 2016 mall stabbing by a Somali ISIS supporter exposed potential security risks of resettlement. Federal ISIS probes in Minnesota highlighted recruitment from Somalis. [1] Growing questions surround the assumption that concerns were merely irrational Islamophobia, with critics arguing these events challenge the narrative, even as the consensus stays contested.
▶ Supporting Quotes (1)
“ISIS wing claims responsibility for Minnesota mall attack ... The man who stabbed nine people at a Minnesota mall Saturday before being shot dead by an off-duty police officer was a “soldier of the Islamic state,””— St. Cloud, Somalia
Sources
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[1]
St. Cloud, Somaliaopinion