The ongoing ICE raids in Minnesota and other states have led me to consider the underlying causes of increased hostility among some ICE officers and the broader polarization of US partisan politics. This polarization has contributed to a rise in populism, mirroring trends in several Western European countries. As with most socio-political issues, a deeper understanding requires a nuanced perspective that incorporates the viewpoints of stakeholders from diverse ideological and demographic backgrounds. For me, this involves engaging with everyday Americans whose lives are directly or indirectly affected by these events, particularly in Minnesota, where I have resided for nearly two years.
By Thomas M. Sarko, contributing writer
During my time in the US, I have worked in various fields, including direct care, program management, and organizational leadership in health and human services, as well as a brief period in investment banking. These diverse experiences, together with my storytelling skills, have provided insight into how people think across different demographics, social statuses, and political ideologies. Notably, the ICE raids in Minnesota coincided with my most recent roles as a waiver case manager (social worker) and as a Lyft driver (side hustle).
As a waiver case manager in Anoka County, Minnesota, I supported individuals from diverse backgrounds who relied on state welfare programs for essential services and benefits. The federal government primarily funds these programs through the Medicaid-enabled waiver system. For context, some providers, including businesses owned by Somali Minnesotans, were investigated and, in some cases, accused of fraud and mismanagement in publicly funded programs. In response, state agencies tightened oversight and scrutiny of certain federally funded programs, particularly in the affected areas. These investigations also fed into broader public debates about immigration, public benefits, and enforcement actions such as the ICE raids.
In my role as a part-time Lyft driver, I often engage passengers in conversations on topics ranging from politics and sports to travel, social issues, and personal stories. Since the ICE raids and the exposure of waiver-fraud cases involving some Somali-American businesses in Minnesota, I have spoken with several white Minnesotans who currently benefit from Medicaid-enabled waiver programs. Drawing on my professional experience in managing such programs, I can facilitate open dialogue on these issues. Many passengers express frustration with long waitlists and bureaucratic obstacles to accessing essential services. Some expressed a sense of unfairness, believing that, as white and native-born citizens, they face challenges in securing housing and disability assistance, while “recently arrived African immigrants (mostly service providers and vendors)” are perceived as exploiting the system by overbilling both the local and federal governments for services, including those not provided.
One individual living with a disability shared his sense of hopelessness, explaining that he was homeless and had been waiting for housing assistance for several months. He believed that some Somali immigrants received special treatment, including grants and special low‑interest loans as refugee resettlement benefits.
While U.S. refugee programs do provide targeted support to newly arrived refugees from many countries, these are not exclusive to Somalis and are governed by federal and state policies. His frustration with perceived government favoritism toward immigrants, at the expense of himself and other native-born citizens, reflects sentiments fueling the rise of populist movements in the US and in Western countries such as the UK and Germany. (Brexit in the UK, AfD in Germany, National Rally in France).
While I do not seek to justify or excuse any form of prejudice or unfair generalizations, whether directed at Somali immigrants or the broader African immigrant communities, I recognize the frustrations many struggling white Americans feel toward their government. At the same time, I empathize with the discrimination endured by hard-working, law-abiding African immigrants who are striving to achieve the American dream.
It is important to acknowledge the major fraud scandal involving some members of the Somali community. This situation has directly impacted my efforts to obtain a provider license from the Department of Human Services and to launch my business in Minnesota. As a result, the Department of Human Services significantly tightened oversight and temporarily halted or slowed approval of new provider licenses in my specific program area, leaving my application in limbo for over a year and causing major financial strain. However, the outrage directed at the Somali immigrant community is selective. Historically, serious criminal activity has been present in many communities, including European-descended groups such as those associated with the Italian Mafia. If immigration enforcement focused consistently on criminal behavior alone, it would not single out one immigrant community.
In my interactions with everyday Americans as a Lyft driver, I have also encountered affluent passengers who offer a more optimistic and empathetic perspective. Many in this group express genuine concern and compassion toward me and the broader African and Latin American immigrant communities, particularly in light of the current nationwide immigration crackdown. During one ride, a retired couple I drove from their country club in Maple Grove to their home apologized sincerely. They expressed, on behalf of the more conscious and empathetic segment of White America, their regret for the prejudice and mistreatment experienced by my immigrant community at the hands of some members of their own group.
In response, I shared a perspective rooted in my appreciation of history. I reassured the couple that, despite current challenges, America has consistently demonstrated resilience. The nation has overcome deep divisions, including the Civil War, the abolition of slavery, the end of Jim Crow laws, and the advancement of civil rights in the 1960s. I reminded them that America once discriminated not only against Black people, but also against Catholics, Irish, and Italians. Yet, each time, the nation moved closer to its ideals. I expressed unwavering faith in the American experiment of representative democracy, which has repeatedly shown a capacity for renewal and progress. Despite its imperfections, America leads in generosity and inclusivity, continually striving to form a more perfect union. I highlighted that this is the country that elected its first Black president, whose father was from Kenya, and more recently, had a Black woman serve as vice president and run for president on a major party ticket. I remain confident that America will overcome its current challenges and continue to inspire hope globally.
My response deeply moved the couple. The husband sat in silence, visibly affected, while the wife reached for my hand as I parked in their driveway. She held it for a moment, her eyes filling with tears and a gentle smile on her face. With genuine emotion, she said, “Young man, I am so proud of you for your courage and positive outlook. I wish more people saw things as you do. I wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors.”
The compassion shown by this couple mirrors the support I receive from many of my white friends. For example, a longtime friend of mine who is Jewish and lives in Portland, Oregon, often calls during times of national racial tension or when he hears of violence against Black people. He—and sometimes his parents—reach out to offer love, support, and practical guidance to help keep my family safe. My response to them echoes what I shared with the Lyft couple: I remain steadfast in my hope that America will continue to rise above its imperfections and become even better. I believe in the “better angels” of this country more than in its faults, and I encourage my fellow Liberians and the broader African immigrant community in the US to hold on to hope. While the American experiment is far from perfect, it has a remarkable capacity for renewal and progress.
About the author
Thomas M. Sarko is a Liberian peace advocate focused on promoting lasting stability in Liberia. Educated at Cathedral Catholic School and the University of Liberia, he gained early media experience through his school’s Press Club, UNMIL Radio, and the Liberia Electricity Corporation. In 2012, he co-founded Project Peace for Liberia to help prevent renewed conflict by engaging youth through creative and performing arts. He moved to the United States in 2014 and later earned a master’s degree in Corporate and Marketing Communication from IE Business School in Madrid in 2022.
