Last night, millions of Americans watched as Minnesota’s Somali community was singled out and described in sweeping, inflammatory terms during the State of the Union address. Words matter—especially when they come from the President of the United States who called these people “Somali pirates” who had “ransacked Minnesota.”

Minnesota is home to one of the largest Somali communities in the country. They are small business owners, nurses, teachers, truck drivers, students, parents, veterans, and public servants. They are our neighbors. They are Americans.

It is fair to investigate fraud, demand accountability, and protect taxpayer dollars. But painting an entire ethnic and immigrant community as criminals because of alleged misconduct by some individuals crosses a dangerous line. It fuels division, invites harassment, and undermines the basic American principle that people should be judged as individuals—not by their background or faith.

We call on President Donald Trump to retract his sweeping statements about Minnesota’s Somali community and to affirm that Somali Americans deserve the same dignity and protection as any other citizens.

We also call on leaders in the U.S. House and Senate—Republicans and Democrats alike—to publicly reject rhetoric that targets entire communities and to recommit to oversight efforts that are fact-based, fair, and free of collective blame.

Minnesota—and America—are strongest when we confront wrongdoing without scapegoating, when we protect civil liberties while pursuing accountability, and when we refuse to let political moments turn neighbor against neighbor.

Stand with Minnesota’s Somali community. Stand for fairness, truth, and equal treatment under the law.