Sahan Journal yeej raws qab cov xovxwm tshiab txog tus kabmob Coronavirus hauv xeev Minnesota. Yog koj paub dabtsi ntxiv txog tus kabmob Coronavirus no losyog koj muaj lus nug, xa tuaj rau peb ntawm: contact@sahanjournal.com.
Using long-held techniques from his native Mexico, local Latino man treats the aches and pains of his customers
Out of his clinic in the Powderhorn neighborhood of Minneapolis, Jesus De La Torre dispenses massage, natural remedies, and advice, all with gusto.
‘I’m ready’: How Minnesota’s immigrant faith leaders, store owners and community members are responding to the coronavirus epidemic
Churches and mosques are scaling back or canceling services, shopping mall traffic is dwindling and people are stocking up on basic supplies.
Koj yuav tsum paub dabtsi txog cov kabmob coronavirus
Yam kabmob tshiab coronavirus, lossis COVID-19, pib kis thoob tebchaws America lawm, thiab txog Minnesota lawm. Koj puas muaj lus noog txog coronavirus? Xa koj cov lus noog tuaj rau peb, es peb mam teb li peb teb tau.
Lo que debe saber sobre el coronavirus
El nuevo coronavirus, también conocido como COVID-19, se está expandiendo por todos los Estados Unidos, incluido Minnesota. ¿Tiene usted preguntas sobre el coronavirus? Envíenos sus preguntas a través de este formulario y las contestaremos lo mejor que podamos.
Waxa aad u baahan tahay in aad ka ogaato koronafayras (coronavirus)
Cudurka cusub ee koronafayras-ka wuxuu ku faafayaa gobolada wadanka oo dhan oo ay Minnesota ku jirto. Ma qabtaa wax su’aalo ah oo la xidhiidha cudurka koronafayras? Fadlan noo soo gudbiya wixii su’aalo ah ee aad qabtaan, waxaana ku dadaalaynaa in su’aalihiina aan ka jawaabno.
What you need to know about the coronavirus
The new coronavirus is spreading in states across the country, including in Minnesota. Do you have questions about the coronavirus? Submit them to us and we will do our best to answer them.
Amid coronavirus fears, Asian grocery store ran out of beloved jasmine rice
For some Asian Minnesotans, running out of rice is not just inconvenient. It’s reminiscent of the Vietnam War.
East Grand Forks mother faces felony child abuse in case drawing worldwide attention from Somalis
When child protective services took Nimo Khalif’s children from her custody, she pleaded to the Somali community for help. Now, for the first time, she’s being charged with felonies of child abuse.
Immigrants are leaving Minnesota’s public aid programs. Why?
Minnesota’s seen enrollment drop for immigrants in key government benefit programs for reasons that aren’t clear. Observers say people may not need the aid in a growing economy. Others point the finger at the effects of Trump administration policies.
In northwestern Minnesota, allegations but few answers in Somali mother’s case
In a case that’s drawn the attention of Somalis worldwide, a Polk County prosecutor said Monday that a Somali woman whose children were removed from her care may face child abuse charges.
MPR News/Star Tribune poll: Most Minnesotans open to refugees
Minnesotans support refugee resettlement in their communities by a wide margin, according to a new MPR News/Star Tribune Minnesota Poll.
Changes to the ‘public charge’ rule: 8 key questions, answered
Starting this week, the federal government is expanding the scope of its “public charge” rule, a move that will make it tougher for some immigrants to access public aid. Here’s what you need to know.
Bogus story of an immigration raid brings chaos to Hmong market
Hmong community leaders are scrambling to set the record straight after an online post falsely claimed that federal immigration agents had arrested hundreds of people at a popular St. Paul market. Its posting set off a frenzy, playing on the fears of a very real proposal by the Trump administration to deport some Hmong and Lao immigrants.
Minnesota creates high-level post to help connect employers, immigrants
The Walz administration’s move comes after state officials spent the past year listening to concerns from employers about worker shortages and concerns from immigrant and refugee communities about the barriers they face to getting hired.
Community activist Haji Yussuf steps up to challenge Rep. Ilhan Omar for 5th District seat
Haji Yussuf says the congresswoman is focused too much on her national profile and not enough on the district and that he’s heard the concerns of people from all walks of life as he drives for Uber.
Hmong rappers get their chance to shine in YouTube competition
No matter who comes out on top, rappers say the competition is already paying off for artists in the small but growing Hmong hip-hop community hustling to get their music heard.
Redefining beauty: Advocates work to make skin lightening a public health issue
The Minnesota Department of Health doled out four grants to two nonprofit groups and two counties to help educate communities of color about the potential health risk of using cosmetics that lighten skin.
What you need to know about Trump’s plan to deport Hmong, Lao immigrants
Nearly 3,500 people nationwide are subject to removal under the proposal; in Minnesota, several hundred could be affected.
Thousands of Hmong and Lao Americans face deportation under Trump proposal
In a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Rep. Betty McCollum calls the plan ‘unconscionable’
Intensive mental health help can help heal refugees fleeing war, Minnesota-based study finds
A first-of-its-kind study of Karen refugees in St. Paul diagnosed with major depression offers hope that refugees scarred by the trauma of war and torture can recover.
With first Latina president, Macalester College makes history
Suzanne Rivera, 50, will be the first woman and first Latina to lead the nationally known St. Paul liberal arts college. The school announced her hiring Monday.
‘Devastating’: Minnesotans rally against Trump’s new visa curbs
Some 50 people on Saturday protested President Trump’s newly announced restrictions on immigration from Nigeria, Eritrea, Sudan, Tanzania, Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan, warning they will have an outsized effect on Minnesota’s new immigrant populations.
Abdi Warsame appointed CEO of Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. He will become first Somali to lead a government agency.
Warsame made history in 2013 when he became the first Somali in Minnesota elected to the Minneapolis City Council. His latest move makes history again, and puts a City Council seat in play.
A northwestern Minnesota county removed a Somali mother’s kids. Somalis want to know why.
Somalis in Minnesota and the world are watching the case of an East Grand Forks mother whose children were removed by child protective services. Somali community members believe she’s being treated unfairly, but the facts are not black and white.
Minnesota protesters slam India’s new citizenship law as biased against Muslims
Some 400 people filled the Minnesota Capitol rotunda Sunday, calling on India’s government to end policies they say will take away the citizenship of many Muslims in India, and calling for Congress to apply pressure.
Strong leads don’t make up for soap opera ending in Guthrie’s ‘Noura’
“Noura” re-envisions a classic play for the 21st century, featuring Iraqi characters. It grapples with sexism women continue to face today while also mining themes of Islamophobia, trauma, and not belonging as a refugee in America.
New generation pushes Hmong mental health concerns into the light
A younger generation is kindling a difficult but important conversation about mental health and suicide in Minnesota’s Hmong community, hoping a public discussion will break the stigma and lead people to get help.
Rumors, misinformation lurked as Minnesota county rejected refugees
Beltrami County attracted national attention when commissioners voted against refugee resettlement last week. Ahead of the vote, false information about resettlement circulated on social media, in text messages and in flyers mailed to some county residents.
Minnesotan sentenced to 35 years in ISIS case says he didn’t get the chance to plead guilty
In a recent court filing, Guled Omar said his lawyer failed to negotiate a plea deal with the government in 2016 and was ineffective in representing him. He’s asking a federal judge to vacate or reduce his sentence.
Amid the chaos, Minnesota counties say ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ to refugees
What you need to know as local governments scramble to comply with Trump order.
This Minnesota county has not directly received refugees in the past five years. Now it became first in the state to reject refugee resettlement
A presidential executive order has prompted county boards across the country to weigh whether they’ll allow refugees to be resettled within their borders.
‘Cried with joy’: Minnesota’s Liberians find elation, relief in new residency law
Minnesota’s Liberian community is celebrating a new federal law that opens a path for permanent residency in the U.S. Advocates say it’s a happy ending to a long, hard-fought journey. Just a year ago, many Liberians feared deportation.
Diversity big on the ballot in race for Minnesota House seat 60A
Six of the 12 candidates in the coming District 60A special election in Minneapolis are first- or second-generation immigrants, part of a growing trend of people with new-immigrant roots seeking political power in Minnesota and the U.S.
Willmar keeps the refugee door open despite concerns
The city’s fast-growing immigrant communites are creating opportunities and tensions.
Survey: Most Minnesotans oppose U.S. border policy, but partisanship divides the state on many immigration issues
A survey conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication found that those who identify themselves as Republicans are the only individual group that favors the government’s approach at the border.
For struggling Minnesota Muslims, help is a phone call away
Sisters Sumaya and Fadumo Hassan help callers manage their experiences with bullying, anti-Islam sentiment and issues of identity
Fearing retaliation, some immigrants stay away from public aid
Medicaid, food assistance and other federal programs can help keep struggling immigrant families afloat. Many, though, increasingly fear being punished for seeking those benefits, and being labeled a “public charge.”
University of Minnesota student taps Nigerian roots to design a sneaker for Nike
University of Minnesota student Taoheed Bayo won a Nike design challenge this fall and set about creating a shoe inspired by his Nigerian heritage. His creation, the Afro-Yute Air Max 1, is doing more than selling. It’s teaching.
In a split vote, one Minnesota county says ‘yes’ to more refugees
Other counties are in watch-and-wait mode, noting a lawsuit challenging Trump order.
After fire kills 5 in Cedar-Riverside high-rise, a call for sprinklers
Adding sprinklers in old buildings can be expensive. But proponents say it’s worth it.
Sahan Journal to add local reporters, photographer with new national funding from Report for America
The Twin Cities-based news site that focuses on the stories of Minnesota’s new immigrants was chosen Monday for funding by Report for America, a national service program that trains emerging journalists.
Chinese, English language students learn from each other in U of M program
A University of Minnesota program matches international students learning English with local high school students who have gone through Chinese immersion programs. Both get to work on their language skills in a conversational setting.
East African parents call for support, not scorn, in fight against teen addiction
Mothers struggling to help their children with substance abuse are often told they’re too soft on their kids. At a meeting Monday night, families and addiction experts said it’s time for the community to confront the problem and end the judgment.
Moving to Mexico for love sounded awesome. Then my African uncle called.
Patriarchy remains a powerful force in the lives of African families in America, as longtime Minnesotan Jeffrey Bissoy discovered recently when he decided to leave his job and follow his heart — and then Uncle Claude asked: “In what world do you think this is OK?”
Amazon pulls skin-lightening creams from site after demands from Minnesota activists
The retail giant removed the products after an online petition and a full-page newspaper ad demanded Amazon stop selling creams designed to lighten people’s skin.
Navigating MNsure — in Somali, Spanish and English
More than two dozen groups across the state get grants to help Minnesotans sign up for health insurance.
Elderly Somali man beaten to death after getting off Metro Transit bus led a simple life that centered around daily prayers, helping others
Family and friends describe Shirwa Hassan Jibril as a compassionate man who liked to assist his fellow elders with documents and forms that needed filling out.
Hijabs for patients and medical staff: St. Louis Park hospital makes health care history
Methodist Hospital on Thursday became the nation’s first to carry hijabs in its gift shop. That change was driven by a hospital worker who saw patients struggling with makeshift hijabs to cover their heads.
Youth, diversity take the reins of power at St. Paul City Hall
“We made our campaigns about people,” says council member-elect Nelsie Yang, 24 — a renter, a woman of color and one of the new faces of political power in St. Paul.
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With floral candles, Hmong sisters honor parents’ farming legacy
Each November, the Hmong American Farmers Association offers artwork people can buy alongside produce grown by Hmong farmers. This year’s art — candles featuring flowers from a Hmong family’s field — comes with a good story.
‘Go back to where you came from’: Somali DoorDash driver says customer attacked him
The Minnesota chapter of a national civil rights group is calling for hate crime charges after a west metro food delivery driver was allegedly attacked by a man who told him to “go back to where you came from.”
Preaching ‘hate’ for Islam, speaker arrives in a divided Willmar
Organizers plan to protest an appearance Thursday from Usama Dakdok, who has visited Minnesota dozens of times to convince his audience that Islam is dangerous.
‘My voice is needed’: History made as Nadia Mohamed wins a seat on St. Louis Park City Council
Nadia Mohamed, 23, came to St. Louis Park as a refugee at age 10. Now she’s council member-elect, ready to focus on affordable housing, climate action and racial equity. It’s a whirlwind story.
Minneapolis East African shops boost security after vandalism
Some stores are closing earlier at night. Others have installed new lights and cameras. Owners say these costly steps are needed to restore a sense of safety after a vandal smashed windows on Franklin Avenue and told police he hated Somalis.
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Immigrants built Minnesota’s economy and culture. They still do.
Let’s recognize the vital role Minnesota’s new immigrants play in the economy and cultivate their skills to take on the high-demand careers of the future, writes Hamse Warfa, deputy commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
‘Monster in our community’: East African youth break the silence over addiction
Drug addiction is a source of shame in immigrant communities. Children’s overdoses are often cloaked as heart attacks or unexplainable deaths. Some young Twin Cities advocates are working now to push the problem into the light in the hope of saving lives.
The ‘Glass Man’: How a former CIA worker helped bring the Hmong to America
The U.S. government once deemed Hmong refugees unsuitable for American resettlement. Yang See, who had worked for the CIA, made the case they belonged.
In Minnesota libraries, community is part of the collection
Libraries in Minnesota offer an ever-expanding catalog of resources and services. At the Rondo Community Library in St. Paul there are story times in several different languages, a book, vinyl and DVD collection and reference librarians prepared to help with anything — really anything.
Trump’s ‘public charge’ proposal frightened some immigrants into keeping kids off Medicaid
The Trump administration’s so-called “public charge” rule that was set to go into effect this month has been blocked by federal judges. Still, some who work with Minnesota’s immigrant community say the proposal generated fear and confusion, prompting some to take their children off Medicaid.
Rochester program aims to help new arrivals navigate public safety
When do you call 911? How do you pay a parking ticket? Rochester’s New Americans Academy aims to teach the basics.
Meet the woman who’s documenting the stories of immigrants and their children in southwest Minnesota
Andrea Duarte-Alonso said she began her project, Stories from Unheard Voices, with a focus on the Latino community after then-presidential candidate Donald Trump called Mexican immigrants criminals and “rapists.”
Minnesota’s racial, ethnic diversity grows even as immigration slows
The state’s largest non-European immigrant populations are deepening their roots in the state, new research shows, even as the number of foreign-born residents slowly declines.
‘Trump hates us’: President’s Minneapolis visit gets no welcome from Minnesota Somalis
President Trump singled out Somali refugees for scorn during his political rally Thursday in Minneapolis, home to the nation’s largest Somali population. Somali people here see it as part of the administration’s campaign to demonize immigrants from Muslim-majority countries and slash the number of refugee settlements.
In one Twin Cities classroom, learning in Hmong and about being Hmong
“Hmong for Native Speakers” has helped bridge Hmong family culture and classroom academics at Park Center High School in Brooklyn Park. Observers say the experiment offers a possible path to boosting achievement for students of color.
Editor’s note: Why Sahan Journal decided to report on Ilhan Omar’s divorce filings
Writing about Rep. Ilhan Omar’s divorce filing puts facts to an issue where misinformation has ruled, Sahan Journal editor Mukhtar Ibrahim writes. The scrutiny is also part of life as an elected official. They sacrifice some of their privacy for the privilege of representing us.
Ilhan Omar files for divorce from husband Ahmed Hirsi
Ilhan Omar officially filed for divorce on Friday in Hennepin County District Court. The couple has three children together.
Twin Cities mosque on edge after opponents start pointing the cameras at children
The Dar Al Farooq Youth and Family Center has been the subject of online videos targeting Muslims. Police are investigating reports of harassment.
As demand for coding skills rise, New Vision Foundation trains Twin Cities immigrant kids
A partnership between the city of St. Paul and New Vision Foundation is helping train teens in modern computer programming. Many are first generation immigrants. A new city grant will help significantly expand the number of students trained.
Gandhi’s dream lies in tatters, 150 years after his birth
Mahatma Gandhi’s belief in nonviolent change feels like a fading memory now as nationalist hate and bigotry rise in India, striking at the nation’s very foundation, writes Zafar Siddiqui.
Twin Cities archbishop decries treatment of U.S. border refugees
Archbishop Bernard Hebda on Sunday called on Christians to protect immigrants and refugees “who find themselves in strange lands.” His homily came on the Catholic Church’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
Minneapolis man charged with vandalizing East African shops told cops he hates Somalis
Harlin St. John faces five counts of damage to property and bias crimes for smashing store windows last week. He allegedly told investigators it was in retaliation because he believed Somalis had shot at his family and he hates “the Somalis.”
Seeking answers and lessening the stigma of being female, divorced and Hmong
After her own divorce, Mailee Yang set out to learn more about the pressures faced by divorced women in her community. She surveyed hundreds of Hmong American women across the country about their experiences.
‘I’m here to stand up against oppression’: Minnesotans protest divisive rhetoric, security crackdown in India
Nearly 400 people gathered in Columbia Heights on Sunday afternoon to condemn human rights abuses and security crackdowns under India’s Hindu nationalist-led government.
Arrest made after Minneapolis East African businesses hit by vandalism
A surveillance video from the vandalized stores shows a man wearing a black tank top throwing rocks at the glass windows of East African-owned stores in Minneapolis.
Somali mob didn’t attack man in Minneapolis, but facts won’t stop the hate
Right-wing media on social media platforms falsely claim that a video shows Somalis brutally beating and robbing a man near Target Field. Police say those arrested aren’t Somali. Twitter, Facebook and Google executives are silent as a dangerous lie spreads.
For Muslims wrestling with substance abuse, it’s often a silent struggle
Community members are trying to discuss addiction openly, normalize treatment and provide culturally competent counseling.
North St. Paul district is taking a new approach to fighting racism in schools
Many Minnesota schools have had reports of racist incidents in recent years. One district in North St. Paul is using student voices to combat racism.
New St. Thomas dean ready to take on region’s diverse health care needs
MayKao Hang’s life experiences were vital to her as CEO of the Wilder Foundation. They’ll be equally important as she prepares to take over as founding dean of the University of St. Thomas College of Health.
On 9/11 anniversary, blame the terrorists, not Muslims
We should never forget the horror of 9/11. But, 18 years later, we must find a way to stop blaming all Muslims, writes Ashalul Aden of Rochester, Minnesota. “Sadly, I am not sure many people know how to do that.”
A community garden in Fargo is doing more than helping new Americans access healthy food
“Through the community garden, I made many friends. I got to know how to grow vegetables around here,” one gardener said. “And I keep learning. We kind of complete each other. We learn from each other.”
Latino parents group teaches cultural skills to thrive in Minnesota schools
The Latino Youth Development Collaborative is trying to help first-generation Latino families navigate the complexities of Minnesota schools.
Nearly 2,000 people become U.S. citizens in St. Paul
Thousands of new Americans were naturalized in two ceremonies at St. Paul RiverCentre on Wednesday. In 2018, the number of people across the nation who became citizens reached a five-year high.
Resettlement agencies in Minnesota are grappling with Trump’s restrictions on refugee arrivals
Refugee-serving agencies in Minnesota are finding new ways to adapt to the changing refugee-services landscape — by shifting resources and tapping into new demographics.
Minnesota education officials: New immigration rules could strip funding from schools, students
New Trump administration rules penalizing legal immigrants for using public benefits could affect students and school systems.
‘Not your typical networking event’: Somali professionals showcase talent at inaugural national conference
Somali North American Business and Professionals Inc. began mostly as a loose project in 2017 on Facebook. It quickly grew to become one of the most popular Facebook groups for Somalis. With more than 15,000 members, it has now officially transitioned from mainly having online interactions to in-person connections.
‘I hope they are fine’: Kashmiris in Minnesota worry for loved ones back home
“Many of the Kashmiri diaspora in the U.S. have not been able to communicate with their family members for the last several weeks,” a cardiologist from Kashmir living in Rochester told Sahan Journal.
Minnesota Somalis get a national forum on NPR’s 1A
1A interviewed Somalis in Minneapolis Thursday on a variety of issues related to their experiences coming to and living in Minnesota. It’s expected to be broadcast on Sept. 5.
FBI probing recent death threat against Rep. Ilhan Omar
The FBI’s Minneapolis field office confirms it and other law enforcement agencies are aware of the threat and looking into it. Ilhan posted a copy of the threat on Twitter.
Soccer: Salve for struggling neighborhood of immigrants
A soccer field is the first big project of the Meadow Park Initiative, a new community organizing effort in Rochester aimed at building trust, safety and stability in a neighborhood where Somali and Latino immigrants have come together from opposite sides of the globe to build their lives in America.
IN PICTURES: A tradition continues as hundreds of Hmong anglers come out for bass tournament
The lure of nearly $26,000 in total prize money helps fuel high turnout for the Midwest Hmong Outdoors’ bass fishing tournament — but it’s the sense of community draws even more.
At State Fair, Minnesota’s new immigrants find common ground
The Great Minnesota Get-Together is becoming increasingly diverse as the state’s growing immigrant and refugee communities embrace the tradition.
From the Caribbean to Minnesota, a community comes together
“We are probably a larger community than people may necessarily understand or appreciate, because we don’t fall within a specific box,” a community member said.
Minnesota lawmakers announce plan to ban for-profit immigration detention
The announcement comes after MPR News reported on a private company’s push to reopen a vacant state prison as an immigration detention facility in the the city of Appleton, Minnesota.
In fight for better working conditions, Somalis find their voice
Labor advocacy may be new to Somalis in Minnesota, but it’s a story well-known to the German, Scandinavian and Eastern European immigrants of years gone by. Here’s how a new generation of immigrants is making change.
Detainees wanted: Minnesota’s closed private prison eyes a deal with ICE
In western Minnesota, one company is hoping to house hundreds of immigrant detainees. But it’s dividing the community.
East Africans clock in with hope, hard work on Minnesota’s thankless jobs
East Africans do many of the jobs that other people don’t want. Like generations of immigrants before them, they’re sacrificing now with a belief in a better future. That doesn’t mean it’s easy in the present.
IN PICTURES: Immigrant kids jump into Minnesota’s outdoor summer culture
A Minnesota summer camp is helping connect city kids and children of refugees to the state’s outdoor summer culture, often for the first time.