Minnesota Somalis plan protest Friday when money transfers end

The bank that handles most of the money transfers from Minnesota's Somalis to relatives back home plans to shut down the service on Friday. Sunrise Community Banks says it fears it could violating rules meant to clamp down on the funding of terrorists. But Somalis say their families depend on the money and ending the service could create a humanitarian crisis.

Author:: BMTN Staff
Updated:: Mar 8, 2018
Original:: Dec 29, 2011

The bank that handles most of the money transfers from Minnesota's Somalis to relatives back home plans to shut down the service on Friday. Sunrise Community Banks says it fears it could violating rules meant to clamp down on the funding of terrorists. But Somalis say their families depend on the money and ending the service could create a humanitarian crisis.

hospital, emergency room

The vehicle went airborne and slammed into the wall, killing a teenage passenger.

covid

The latest figures from MDH.

Jacob Frey

Mayor Jacob Frey announced a slate of new policy proposals at an event in north Minneapolis Monday.

fawn rescue chisholm

Firefighters rescued the deer and returned them to their mom.

lake, water

A vehicle and empty boat were found at McCarrons Lake.

BoswellMugshot

Shelby Gene Boswell was sentenced to 110 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

shakopee splash pad 1

Officials are offering a $1,000 reward for information on who did it.

lake water

The marsh he was found in is about 120 miles southeast of the Twin Cities.

road construction

Crews will be making safety improvements along the "Corridor of Death."

Nicholas Joseph Ammesmaki

Anyone who knows of his whereabouts should call 911, police say.

hennepin county medical center

The child was reportedly shot in the head.

Willians Astudillo

The White Sox hammered the Twins 16-4 but Astudillo took the mound in the ninth.

Somalis are rallying in Minneapolis on Friday afternoon to protest Sunrise Community Banks decision to halt a money transfer service. The bank fears the service was violating federal rules meant to clamp down on the funding of terrorism. But Somalis both here and abroad say the service is crucial to helping relatives in Somalia and that ending it could trigger a humanitarian crisis.

The bank that handles most of the money transfers from Minnesota to Somalia plans to shut down the service. Sunrise Community Banks fears the program could be violating federal laws meant to clamp down on funds flowing to terrorist groups. But Somali officials say the money provides an essential lifeline to relatives in the war-ravaged country and that shutting down the service could lead to a serious humanitarian crisis.

Minnesota Somalis are worried after news that the money transfer company that handles most of the community's transactions with Somalia is shutting down amid fears that it may have a hand in routing cash to terrorists. Federal officials say Somalis in America send $100 million a year back to relatives in Somalia, which lacks a formal banking system.

The Star Tribune reports most of the shops have reopened, but they're using out-of-state banks or credit and often refusing to name their new business partners. Many U.S. banks have stopped wiring money to Somalia because they fear they'll violate new federal rules aimed at clamping down on terrorism funding.

The Fourm of Fargo-Moorhead reports three money transfer brokers are still operating in Moorhead. Sunrise Community Banks ended the wire service to Africa in late December. Banks fear they could unknowingly be violating federal rules against funding terrorism. Minnesota is home to 25,000 Somalians, many of whom send money to Africa to support their families.

The Star Tribune talks with local Somalis, who are fretting for their families in the war-torn African nation. Many are desperately trying to find other ways to send money to relatives trying to survive in a country with no banks or functional government.

The head of Tawakal Money Express in Minneapolis says emergency wire transfers of less than $500 dollars will be serviced, citing a need for people who say there families in Somalia rely on the funds. Fifteen Minnesota banks halted transfers last week, fearing a violation of terror financing rules.

A group of Twin Cities Somalis are frustrated with banks no longer willing to transfer money to Somalia. In response, Somali-American customers are removing their money and closing bank accounts. They want banks to restore the wire service to Africa. Banks fear the money transfers could violate anti-terror regulations.

DONTCHA KNOW?

You Can Get BMTN Special Offers!

Get Our Newsletter