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Tensions and fear have been growing within the Somali American community in Columbus, Ohio, after a series of incidents targeting Somali-owned businesses and community institutions. Many residents say the atmosphere has changed dramatically over the past few months, leaving families worried about their safety and future.
In late December, several men began appearing outside the 161 Child Care facility in Columbus early in the morning. According to the daycare’s co-owner, Abukar Mohammed, the men would drive around the building before parking in front. From inside their cars, they opened their windows and shouted threatening and racist remarks at the Somali American owners, telling them they would be exposed and forced to leave the country.
The situation became even more alarming on New Year’s Day when someone broke into the daycare center. Mohammed said the incident deeply shocked him. Having moved to the United States years ago to escape conflict in Somalia, he never expected to face racial hostility in America. The experience, he said, was heartbreaking and difficult to process.
The tension began after former U.S. President Donald Trump made remarks criticizing the Somali American community, accusing them of exploiting the country. Soon after those comments, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched an operation known as “Operation Buckeye,” saying it aimed to target serious criminal offenders in Columbus and across Ohio.
Since then, many Somali Americans in the city say they have experienced increased scrutiny and intimidation. Community members report that ICE agents have appeared near Somali-owned businesses and schools serving immigrant children. At the same time, some right-wing online personalities have also visited these areas, filming and accusing Somali-run childcare centers of misusing public funds.
These claims have caused damage to local businesses and schools. Several Somali-owned childcare facilities have struggled to attract families because many parents fear being monitored or confronted. Some schools have even closed temporarily because attendance dropped sharply as families avoided areas where federal agents or activists were present.
Columbus is home to one of the largest Somali communities in the United States, with about 60,000 Somali Americans living in the city. Many arrived in the 1990s after fleeing civil war in Somalia. Over the years, they have built lives and businesses, working in healthcare, warehouses, and other industries across central Ohio. Community leaders estimate that Somali entrepreneurs now operate around 500 businesses, many located along Cleveland Avenue north of downtown Columbus.
However, recent political and social tensions have made many community members feel vulnerable. Hassan Omar of the Somali Community Association of Ohio said harassment has not been limited to childcare centers. He revealed that he has received threatening phone calls filled with racist insults telling him to return to Somalia. Omar said the messages were disturbing and unlike anything he had experienced before.
He also described incidents where individuals stood outside the association’s office filming the building for long periods. The organization provides social services and support to Somali residents, making it a central hub for the community.
Despite the accusations circulating online, state officials say only a very small number of childcare programs across Ohio have been shut down due to fraud concerns. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stated that public tips led to the closure of 12 programs, representing only about 0.2 percent of the state’s more than 5,000 childcare providers receiving government funding. Mohammed noted that his own daycare facility passed its most recent state inspection.
Political debate around immigration and childcare funding has also intensified in Ohio. Some Republican lawmakers have proposed new legislation that would require cameras to be installed in childcare facilities that receive state funding. Other proposals would increase cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
At the same time, the Columbus City Council has taken steps in the opposite direction. In February, the council passed a measure preventing local police from carrying out federal immigration enforcement and limiting cooperation with immigration agencies unless the council approves it.
For many Somali residents, the situation is further complicated by uncertainty over immigration protections. Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows Somali nationals to live and work legally in the United States due to unsafe conditions in their home country, is scheduled to end soon. Community leaders say about 2,500 Somalis in the U.S. rely on this protection.
They warn that returning to Somalia could be dangerous. The country still faces security threats from the militant group al-Shabaab, along with widespread poverty and hunger. International organizations report that millions of people in Somalia are currently experiencing severe food shortages.
For Mohammed, the growing hostility has had real financial and emotional consequences. He said he has had to install a security system at the daycare center after the harassment and break-in. The presence of people gathering outside the building has also discouraged parents from bringing their children to the facility.
“I was already struggling financially to open this daycare,” he said, explaining that the situation has made it even harder to keep the business running.
Despite these challenges, community leaders say Somali Americans in Columbus remain committed to building their lives and contributing to the city. But many are now hoping for calm, safety, and stronger support from leaders to ensure they can live and work without fear.