WASHINGTON, D.C. (Horn post) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, January 4, 2026, shared data indicating that 71.9 percent of Somali-born households and 47.6 percent of Ethiopian-born households in the United States receive public assistance.
The figures were presented in a chart titled “Immigrant Welfare Recipient Rates by Country of Origin”, which Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. The chart lists roughly 120 countries and territories, measuring the proportion of households receiving government aid based on the birth country.
According to the chart, Somalia ranked third highest, after Bhutan (81.4 percent) and Yemen (75.2 percent). Ethiopia appeared in the upper-middle range with 47.6 percent. At the lower end, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were cited at around 25 percent.
The release of the figures comes amid renewed rhetoric from the Trump administration highlighting what it describes as the fiscal impact of specific immigrant communities in the U.S. The chart has drawn attention and debate, with some commentators noting that welfare participation rates are influenced by factors such as healthcare access, economic conditions, and family structure.
Prepared:
Horn post staff reporter
