He was an Uber driver in the US. Now he's scared of jihadists after deportation to Somalia

December 14, 2025

Mahad Mohamud, a 36-year-old Somali TikTok personality known as "Garyaqaan" with nearly half a million followers, was deported from Minneapolis to Mogadishu after being detained by ICE despite being cleared of kidnapping allegations by the FBI. He had entered the US illegally through Mexico while seeking asylum, claiming threats from al-Shabab militants due to his online content, but his asylum request was ultimately denied. President Trump recently announced plans to end temporary protected status for Somalis and stated he doesn't want Somali immigrants in the US, causing widespread fear in Minneapolis's 80,000-strong Somali community.

Who is affected

Mahad Mohamud (Garyaqaan), a 36-year-old deported Somali TikTok personality
Mahad's three children in Somalia
Five young Somali men in Minneapolis who are hiding and missing work
An anonymous young Somali man deported after 18 months in US detention
The Somali community in Minneapolis/St Paul (approximately 80,000 people, the largest in the US)
Somalis with temporary protected status facing potential deportation
Other deportees from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Eritrea mentioned in detention
Dozens charged in Minnesota's social assistance fraud scheme involving Somali immigrants

What action is being taken

ICE agents are knocking on doors across Minneapolis and St Paul
Five Somali men are hiding in a friend's house, having fled their apartment and missing work shifts
Mahad is taking extra security precautions and living in a well-protected home in Mogadishu
Immigration enforcement is conducting deportations of Somalis and other nationals

Why it matters

This situation highlights the humanitarian consequences of immigration enforcement policies affecting vulnerable populations fleeing conflict and instability in Somalia, a country without effective central government control since 1991. The deportations are particularly significant because they return people to dangerous conditions, including active threats from al-Shabab militants, while creating fear and disruption in the largest Somali-American community. The crisis demonstrates the collision between US immigration policy and the reality that deportees face no employment opportunities or future prospects in Somalia, potentially triggering further dangerous migration attempts. President Trump's rhetoric and policy changes regarding Somalis and temporary protected status have created widespread alarm and are forcing people into hiding, disrupting their ability to work and sustain themselves.

What's next

President Trump plans to end temporary protection status for Somalis
The anonymous deportee is considering migrating to another country again
Mahad may pursue opportunities arising from his TikTok profile and clan connections

Read full article from source: BBC