Facts about the Somali community in Minneapolis

Hundreds of Somalis migrated to the US in 1991 as refugees during the country’s civil war. They came under the Temporary Protected Status program, a project that helped foreign nationals attempting to leave unstable and threatening conditions in their home countries. 

Many of them moved to Minnesota, where they found work in industries that didn't require strong English language skills. The area also had an attractive refugee resettlement structure and affordable housing.The community has since grown up to 84,000 in the twin city Minneapolis-St Paul area.