U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents recently pulled over a Minnesota lawmaker’s son, sparking significant attention and concern. Representative Ilhan Omar disclosed that her son was stopped after visiting a local Target store.
Incident Details
During an interview with WCCO’s Esme Murphy, Omar revealed that ICE agents demanded proof of her son’s citizenship. He was released after presenting his passport. Omar noted that her son always carries his identification.
Previous Experiences with ICE
- Omar mentioned that ICE had previously entered a mosque where her son was praying but left without any issues.
- She expressed her ongoing worries for her son, highlighting concerns surrounding racial profiling.
According to Omar, federal agents are particularly targeting young men who appear Somali, potentially linking them to undocumented status. This comes amidst a backdrop of increased ICE activity in the Twin Cities focused on Somali immigrants.
Context of Racial Profiling Allegations
Just before this incident, President Trump made remarks expressing his disapproval of Somali immigrants, referring to Omar in derogatory terms. In response, Omar addressed a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, criticizing the actions of ICE as blatant racial profiling. She condemned the use of “unnecessary force” in the community.
Demographics of Somali Population in Minnesota
Statistics reveal that Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the United States, estimated at about 107,000 individuals. Over 80,000 of these residents live within the Twin Cities area.
| Demographic Information | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Total Somali Population in Minnesota | 107,000 |
| Somalis in Twin Cities | 80,000+ |
| Estimates of Non-Citizen Somalis Nationwide | 22,000 (about 8.4% of the population) |
Omar emphasizes that more than 90% of Somalis in America are U.S. citizens, countering the narrative of widespread undocumented status. Having arrived in the U.S. from Somalia as a child, she gained citizenship in 2000.
The recent traffic stop has ignited discussions on immigrant rights and the implications of federal policies targeting specific communities.
