# Lewiston and Portland, Maine (Somali community)

> Somalis in Lewiston and Portland, Maine: Census counts, the 2001 arrivals and 2002 letter, Lisbon Street, Maine's first Somali lawmakers and 2026 raids.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/diaspora/lewiston-portland-maine/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

The US Census Bureau's 2020–2024 survey counted 3,111 Somali people in Maine, mostly in Lewiston and the Portland area ([US Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024, B02025, via Census Reporter](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B02025&geo_ids=04000US23)). Somali families began settling in Lewiston in 2001, and local estimates of the community run from 3,000 to 6,000 ([Press Herald, March 2026](https://www.pressherald.com/?p=7613335); [CNN via KTVZ, 2021](https://ktvz.com/news/national-world/cnn-national/2021/12/07/a-maine-city-thats-90-white-now-has-a-somali-mayor/)).

## How many Somalis live in Maine?

By the 2020–2024 American Community Survey (ACS), Maine had 3,111 people who named Somali as a race group, 2,617 by Somali ancestry and 1,420 born in Somalia ([ACS 2020–2024, B02025](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B02025&geo_ids=04000US23); [B04006](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B04006&geo_ids=04000US23); [B05006](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B05006&geo_ids=04000US23)). Maine ranks 14th among US states by the race count ([ACS 2020–2024, B02025, by state](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B02025&geo_ids=040|01000US)).

The city of Lewiston had 1,742 by race and 1,205 by ancestry ([ACS 2020–2024, B02025, Lewiston](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B02025&geo_ids=16000US2338740); [B04006](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B04006&geo_ids=16000US2338740)). Cumberland County, which holds Portland and South Portland, had 1,168 by race and 985 people born in Somalia ([ACS 2020–2024, B02025, Cumberland County](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B02025&geo_ids=05000US23005); [B05006](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B05006&geo_ids=05000US23005)). These small counts carry wide margins of error ([Census Reporter](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B02025&geo_ids=16000US2338740)).

Local estimates are higher. In 2011, Lewiston officials estimated 3,000 to 5,000 Somalis, and a community leader estimated about 6,000 ([Bangor Daily News, December 2011](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2011/12/18/news/struggle-and-progess-10-years-of-somalis-in-lewiston/)). In 2021, CNN reported about 6,000 Somalis in all of Maine ([CNN via KTVZ](https://ktvz.com/news/national-world/cnn-national/2021/12/07/a-maine-city-thats-90-white-now-has-a-somali-mayor/)). WBUR put Lewiston's community at about 3,000 in 2026 ([WBUR, January 2026](https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/01/30/ice-surge-maine-immigration-somali-community-lewiston-fear)).

## How did Somalis come to Maine?

Somali refugees first reached Portland in the 1990s ([Press Herald, March 2026](https://www.pressherald.com/?p=7613335)). By 2000 Portland faced a housing shortage, and the two cities worked to move 30 to 40 families from Portland's shelters and hotels to Lewiston ([Press Herald](https://www.pressherald.com/?p=7613335)).

The first wave reached Lewiston in February 2001 ([Sun Journal via Press Herald, January 2018](https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/14/lewiston-embraces-its-immigrant-population/)). The community grew from about 400 at the end of 2001 to about 1,000 by June 2002 ([Press Herald, 2026](https://www.pressherald.com/?p=7613335); [Bangor Daily News, 2011](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2011/12/18/news/struggle-and-progess-10-years-of-somalis-in-lewiston/)).

Almost all were second movers. They came from about 100 cities in 35 states, many from the Atlanta area ([Bangor Daily News, 2011](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2011/12/18/news/struggle-and-progess-10-years-of-somalis-in-lewiston/)). Families said they chose Lewiston for quieter streets, less crime and lower costs ([Sun Journal via Press Herald, 2018](https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/14/lewiston-embraces-its-immigrant-population/)).

**The 2002 letter and the reply.** In October 2002, Lewiston's mayor wrote an open letter asking Somalis to discourage relatives from moving to the city ([Bangor Daily News, 2011](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2011/12/18/news/struggle-and-progess-10-years-of-somalis-in-lewiston/)). A white-supremacist rally drew about 40 people ([Bangor Daily News](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2011/12/18/news/struggle-and-progess-10-years-of-somalis-in-lewiston/)). The "Many and One" counter-rally at Bates College drew more than 4,000 people, by one count, and about 5,000 inside with 1,700 more outside, by another ([Bangor Daily News](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2011/12/18/news/struggle-and-progess-10-years-of-somalis-in-lewiston/); [Press Herald, 2026](https://www.pressherald.com/?p=7613335)).

Arrivals continue at a small scale. In the 2025 fiscal year, 50 refugees from Somalia were placed in Maine ([Refugee Processing Center, FY2025 arrivals by state](https://www.rpc.state.gov/documents/FY%202025%20Arrivals%20by%20State%20and%20Nationality%20as%20of%2030%20Sep%202025.pdf)).

## Work and business

By late 2002, about half of Somali adults in Lewiston had jobs, a rate that stayed fairly steady over the decade ([Bangor Daily News, 2011](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2011/12/18/news/struggle-and-progess-10-years-of-somalis-in-lewiston/)). Employers that often hired Somalis included L.L.Bean, local hospitals, Goodwill and a Walmart distribution centre ([Bangor Daily News](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2011/12/18/news/struggle-and-progess-10-years-of-somalis-in-lewiston/)).

By 2011, Somali-owned shops filled a block of Lisbon Street, Lewiston's old downtown ([Bangor Daily News](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2011/12/18/news/struggle-and-progess-10-years-of-somalis-in-lewiston/)). One shop there grew to offer interpreting, tax preparation and a hawala money-transfer service ([Bangor Daily News](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2011/12/18/news/struggle-and-progess-10-years-of-somalis-in-lewiston/)). Lisbon Street is still the city's immigrant shopping street, with halal markets and shops ([WBUR, January 2026](https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/01/30/ice-surge-maine-immigration-somali-community-lewiston-fear)).

Schools changed too. Students learning English rose from a handful in 2001 to 28.4% of Lewiston's pupils in 2017 ([Sun Journal via Press Herald, 2018](https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/14/lewiston-embraces-its-immigrant-population/)). Lewiston High School's soccer team, with many Somali players, had won two state titles by 2018 ([Sun Journal via Press Herald](https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/14/lewiston-embraces-its-immigrant-population/)).

## Who speaks for the community?

Mana Abdi won Lewiston's House District 95 in November 2022, the first Somali American elected to the Maine Legislature ([Bangor Daily News, November 2022](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2022/11/08/politics/mana-abdi-election/)). Deqa Dhalac of South Portland and Yusuf Yusuf of Portland also serve in the Maine House ([Maine Morning Star via Yahoo News, December 2025](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/maine-somali-legislators-speak-trump-142647588.html)).

Dhalac joined South Portland's city council in 2018 and became mayor in December 2021 ([CNN via KTVZ, December 2021](https://ktvz.com/news/national-world/cnn-national/2021/12/07/a-maine-city-thats-90-white-now-has-a-somali-mayor/)). She was believed to be the first Somali American mayor in the United States ([CNN via KTVZ](https://ktvz.com/news/national-world/cnn-national/2021/12/07/a-maine-city-thats-90-white-now-has-a-somali-mayor/)). In December 2025 she said she would not seek re-election, citing harassment ([Maine Morning Star via Yahoo News](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/maine-somali-legislators-speak-trump-142647588.html)).

In Lewiston, ZamZam Mohamud won a school committee seat in 2014 ([Sun Journal via Press Herald, 2018](https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/14/lewiston-embraces-its-immigrant-population/)). Safiya Khalid won the Ward 1 city council seat in November 2019, at 23, with 69.6% of the vote ([Bangor Daily News, November 2019](https://bangordailynews.com/2019/11/05/politics/safiya-khalid-becomes-first-somali-american-elected-to-lewiston-city-council/)).

Community groups include the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine, which began as United Somali Women of Maine ([Sun Journal via Press Herald, 2018](https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/14/lewiston-embraces-its-immigrant-population/)). Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services began as the Somali Bantu Association of Maine ([Sun Journal via Press Herald](https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/14/lewiston-embraces-its-immigrant-population/)). Ifka Community Services and the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project in Portland work with families today ([WBUR, January 2026](https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/01/30/ice-surge-maine-immigration-somali-community-lewiston-fear)).

## What does the community face now?

**Harsh words and a reply.** On 4 December 2025, Maine's three Somali American lawmakers wrote an open letter calling the president's remarks about Somalis "dehumanizing" ([Maine Morning Star via Yahoo News](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/maine-somali-legislators-speak-trump-142647588.html)). Governor Janet Mills said the president was "demeaning the very idea and spirit of America" ([Maine Morning Star via Yahoo News](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/maine-somali-legislators-speak-trump-142647588.html)).

**Raids in Maine.** Federal immigration agents arrested more than 200 people in Maine in an operation that ICE dated 20 to 24 January 2026 ([WBUR, January 2026](https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/01/30/ice-surge-maine-immigration-somali-community-lewiston-fear)). Lawyers and families said many of those held were asylum seekers without criminal records ([WBUR](https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/01/30/ice-surge-maine-immigration-somali-community-lewiston-fear)). Lisbon Street went quiet, while neighbours drove children to school and delivered groceries; more than 1,000 people rallied ([WBUR](https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/01/30/ice-surge-maine-immigration-somali-community-lewiston-fear)).

**The end of Temporary Protected Status.** Somalia's TPS designation, in place since 16 September 1991, ended on 14 August 2026 ([USCIS](https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-somalia)). About 700 people nationwide held it, and an appeal has been filed ([MPR News, August 2026](https://mprnews.org/story/2026/08/17/judges-order-allows-end-tps-protections-people-somalia)).

## How is Maine tied to home?

Lewiston's hawala counters connect families in Maine with relatives in Somalia ([Bangor Daily News, 2011](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2011/12/18/news/struggle-and-progess-10-years-of-somalis-in-lewiston/)). The Somali diaspora as a whole sent US$1.73 billion home in 2023, a World Bank-based figure ([Minnesota Reformer, March 2026](https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/03/10/feds-making-it-harder-for-immigrants-to-send-money-to-family/)). Since 1 January 2026, a 1% US tax applies to cash-funded transfers ([Minnesota Reformer](https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/03/10/feds-making-it-harder-for-immigrants-to-send-money-to-family/)).

Many of Lewiston's families came through camps in Kenya before reaching the United States ([Sun Journal via Press Herald, 2018](https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/14/lewiston-embraces-its-immigrant-population/)). For the national picture, see [United States (Somali diaspora)](/en/diaspora/united-states/).

## Related pages

- [United States (Somali diaspora)](/en/diaspora/united-states/)
- [Other US Somali communities](/en/diaspora/us-other/)
- [Atlanta and Clarkston](/en/diaspora/atlanta-clarkston/)
- [Minneapolis–St Paul](/en/diaspora/minneapolis-st-paul/)
- [Why and how Somalis left](/en/diaspora/why-and-how-somalis-left/)
- [Refugee camps](/en/diaspora/refugee-camps/)
- [Refugee papers and status](/en/diaspora/refugee-papers-and-status/)
- [Life after leaving](/en/diaspora/life-after-leaving/)

## Sources

1. US Census Bureau. American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, Tables B02025, B04006 and B05006 (Somali), Maine, Lewiston, Cumberland County and states. Via Census Reporter API. [censusreporter.org](https://api.censusreporter.org/1.0/data/show/acs2024_5yr?table_ids=B02025&geo_ids=04000US23). Checked 2026-11-12.
2. Joe Charpentier, Jamie Shelton and Josie Rothman, Portland Press Herald. "25 years later, Lewiston's Somali residents help shape the city's identity." 26 March 2026. [pressherald.com](https://www.pressherald.com/?p=7613335). Checked 2026-11-12.
3. CNN via KTVZ. "A Maine city that's 90% White now has a Somali mayor." 7 December 2021. [ktvz.com](https://ktvz.com/news/national-world/cnn-national/2021/12/07/a-maine-city-thats-90-white-now-has-a-somali-mayor/). Checked 2026-11-12.
4. Bangor Daily News. "Struggle and progress: 10 years of Somalis in Lewiston." 18 December 2011. [bangordailynews.com](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2011/12/18/news/struggle-and-progess-10-years-of-somalis-in-lewiston/). Checked 2026-11-12.
5. WBUR. Report on the immigration enforcement surge in Maine and Lewiston's Somali community. 30 January 2026. [wbur.org](https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/01/30/ice-surge-maine-immigration-somali-community-lewiston-fear). Checked 2026-11-12.
6. Bonnie Washuk, Sun Journal (via Portland Press Herald). "Lewiston makes strides towards embracing its immigrant population." 14 January 2018. [pressherald.com](https://www.pressherald.com/2018/01/14/lewiston-embraces-its-immigrant-population/). Checked 2026-11-12.
7. US Department of State, Refugee Processing Center. "FY 2025 Arrivals by State and Nationality as of 30 Sep 2025." [rpc.state.gov](https://www.rpc.state.gov/documents/FY%202025%20Arrivals%20by%20State%20and%20Nationality%20as%20of%2030%20Sep%202025.pdf). Checked 2026-11-12.
8. Bangor Daily News. Mana Abdi elected to Maine House District 95. 8 November 2022. [bangordailynews.com](https://www.bangordailynews.com/2022/11/08/politics/mana-abdi-election/). Checked 2026-11-12.
9. Lauren McCauley, Maine Morning Star (via Yahoo News). "Maine's Somali legislators speak out after Trump's latest attacks." 5 December 2025. [yahoo.com](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/maine-somali-legislators-speak-trump-142647588.html). Checked 2026-11-12.
10. Bangor Daily News. "Safiya Khalid becomes first Somali American elected to Lewiston City Council." 5 November 2019. [bangordailynews.com](https://bangordailynews.com/2019/11/05/politics/safiya-khalid-becomes-first-somali-american-elected-to-lewiston-city-council/). Checked 2026-11-12.
11. US Citizenship and Immigration Services. "Temporary Protected Status Designated Country: Somalia." [uscis.gov](https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-somalia). Checked 2026-11-12.
12. MPR News. "Judge's order allows end to TPS protections for people from Somalia." 17 August 2026. [mprnews.org](https://mprnews.org/story/2026/08/17/judges-order-allows-end-tps-protections-people-somalia). Checked 2026-11-12.
13. Minnesota Reformer. "Feds making it harder for immigrants to send money to family." 10 March 2026. [minnesotareformer.com](https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/03/10/feds-making-it-harder-for-immigrants-to-send-money-to-family/). Checked 2026-11-12.

---
I want to help with this: email hello@calankii.com. Fix this page: email hello@calankii.com with the page link and your source.