Ilhan Omar Defends Somali Community Amid Immigration Enforcement Actions, Sparks Renewed Political Debate

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar reignited debate over immigration enforcement Thursday after asserting that Somali immigrants living in the U.S. are protected under constitutional principles and “are not going anywhere,” comments delivered during an appearance on “The Joy Reid Show.”

Omar, who immigrated to the U.S. as a refugee and later became a naturalized citizen, argued that Somali communities—whether long-established or newly arrived—view themselves as fully American and deserving of constitutional protections.

“We know that those of us who are Somali in this country see ourselves as Americans,” Omar said. “We know that we are protected by the Fourteenth Amendment. We know that we are not going anywhere.”

Her remarks came as the federal government pursues increased enforcement actions targeting Somali nationals with outstanding removal orders. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently conducted operations in the Minneapolis–St. Paul region, where a significant Somali-American population resides.

Background to the Enforcement Push

The enforcement activity follows reporting that a number of fraud cases involving Minnesota state welfare programs have been tied to individuals of Somali ancestry. Federal prosecutors, in partnership with state officials, are investigating more than $1 billion in alleged fraudulent claims affecting programs intended to assist low-income families and children with disabilities.

Authorities have secured 59 convictions so far across multiple fraud-related schemes involving pandemic food programs, housing assistance, and autism therapy services. According to data cited by The New York Times, a large portion of those charged are of Somali ancestry, though the cases involve individuals acting in their personal capacities—not any community organization or demographic group as a whole.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has faced bipartisan criticism related to oversight lapses in state-administered programs. State auditors have stated that “systemic failures” allowed fraudulent activity to persist undetected, while Walz has argued that the federal enforcement response is overly broad and has characterized parts of it as political theater.

Controversies Involving Individuals

Separate from the fraud investigations, several high-profile criminal cases involving Somali nationals drew public attention earlier this year.
One such case resulted in a 12-year prison sentence for a Minneapolis man convicted of abducting and assaulting a minor. Another individual is facing new charges related to alleged sexual assaults, according to court filings.

Officials have emphasized that these incidents involve individual defendants and should not be taken as representative of Minnesota’s Somali-American population, which is one of the largest in the United States and plays a substantial role in the region’s civic and economic life.

Political Reactions Intensify

Omar’s comments reflect broader tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, constitutional protections, and community identity. She argued that enforcement operations often create fear among law-abiding families and said that public officials should strive to maintain due-process protections.

Her remarks sparked criticism from political opponents who argue that her framing conflates lawful immigration with violations of federal immigration law. Supporters of increased enforcement contend that individuals with final removal orders should be subject to the standard legal process.

Gov. Walz has also faced intensified scrutiny, with some national political figures accusing him of failing to properly address welfare-system vulnerabilities. In one public statement, a former president sharply criticized Walz’s handling of the fraud cases; however, the remark included derogatory phrasing not suitable for repetition in professional reporting. The broader issue continues to fuel partisan disagreements over responsibility, oversight, and immigration policy.

A Continuing National Debate

The situation underscores ongoing national friction over the intersection of immigration enforcement, community representation, and public messaging.

Omar’s assertion that Somali immigrants and Somali-Americans are “not going anywhere” reflects her view that constitutional rights apply regardless of political climate. Critics counter that her comments risk blurring the distinction between citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals with unresolved immigration violations.

As federal enforcement continues and investigations into welfare-program fraud proceed, Minnesota remains at the center of a politically charged debate over accountability, community relations, and the scope of federal authority.