Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar announced that ICE agents stopped her son while driving on Saturday. Here is how she broke the bad news to her constituents. The Somali-born lawmaker, who fled civil war as a child and became a U.S. citizen in 2000, expressed her alarm over the incident, particularly given the ongoing scrutiny she faces as a prominent figure in American politics.
Omar, who represents Minnesota’s fifth congressional district, became one of the first Muslim women elected to the U.S. Congress in 2018. She went from being a refugee to an elected representative. Today, she is perhaps one of the most powerful symbols of resilience and representation for many. This latest act of ICE has made us think about how the U.S. is creating a violent and hostile reality for immigrant communities.
During a public statement, Omar recounted her son’s experience, noting, “Yesterday, after he made a stop at Target, he did get pulled over by ICE agents, and once he was able to produce his passport ID, they did let him go.” This incident sadly exemplifies the terrible violence that continues to surround deportation and immigration enforcement in this country and its effect on immigrant families.
Even with the full context, Omar still found the situation “creepy” and “disturbing.” He urged that it points to a larger trend of persecution against anyone affiliated with her. She claimed that President Trump is “fixated” on her. She suggested that the destructive behavior he’s engaged in clouds his political failures. “They also tell us to continue fighting, because it does set an example when you stand up to bullies,” Omar stated.
The congresswoman has been a strong advocate for investigating alleged abuse of money sent home by Somalis in the United States. She thinks these funds could be supporting Al-Shabaab, a group designated a terrorist organization. She emphasized that the entire Somali community should not be held accountable for the actions of a few individuals. These fraud cases involving Somalis made so many folks in her district feel deeply hurt, Omar said. These events have only further muddled perceptions of the community on both sides.
Ongoing conversations between community members form a basis for dialogue on enforcement of immigration policies and perceived community safety. Omar’s journey is a testament to the personal and political struggles that immigrant families across America encounter. Her story is one we’re hearing more and more, from those who tread the line between political worlds in a time of growing partisan divides.