Ilhan Omar Demands Answers Over Trump Administration’s Crackdown on Somali Community
Minnesota congresswoman challenges DHS over racial profiling, ICE operations, and potential termination of Temporary Protected Status for Somali refugees
Representative Ilhan Omar (D–Minnesota) has demanded clarification from the Trump administration regarding what she described as a racially motivated crackdown targeting the Somali community in her congressional district, and an explanation for why the administration is considering revoking protected status for hundreds of Somalis.
According to Axios, Omar submitted these requests on Friday through two letters sent to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), after President Trump escalated his attacks on Somalis, including Omar herself, who fled Somalia as a child.
Earlier this month, Trump announced that his hardline immigration campaign would expand to Minnesota, raising fears that the Somali community would be targeted after the president said they “contribute nothing” to the United States. During a Cabinet meeting, Trump also described Somalis—and Omar—as “scum” and said he wanted to send them back “to where they came from.” Trump has repeatedly accused Somali Americans of violence and fraud.
Ilhan Omar Demands Answers Over Trump Administration’s Crackdown on Somali Community
In one of her letters, Omar argued that the proposed increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota was a “direct response to Trump’s racist comments about the Somali community, and about me in particular.” According to the letter, Omar’s constituents and local officials in Minneapolis and St. Paul have documented “blatant racial profiling, an alarming level of unnecessary force, and activity that appears designed for social media rather than appropriate law enforcement purposes.”
Omar wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, stating: “I am demanding answers on behalf of my constituents whose constitutional rights are being violated on a daily basis.”
She asked DHS to release data on how many individuals were arrested during “Operation Metro Surge,” including the number of U.S. citizens detained. Omar also requested information about ICE’s preparations to expand operations, how the public can report potential rights violations, and the estimated cost to taxpayers.
“I cannot imagine a clearer example of waste, fraud, and abuse than what ICE leadership has unleashed in neighborhoods and across cities,” Omar wrote.
Omar Presses DHS on Somali TPS Protections
On Friday, Omar also asked DHS to address her concerns about the potential revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 750 Somali refugees. “Somali TPS holders—some of whom have lived in the United States for nearly three decades—have built their lives here, started businesses, raised families, and become vital members of their communities,” she said.
Somalis were first granted TPS in 1991, and the designation has been extended 27 times. It is currently set to expire on March 17, 2026, prompting Omar to question why the administration is considering ending it before that date.
In her letter, Omar asked DHS to explain the “legal and factual” basis for potentially terminating TPS for Somalis and what factors are being considered in making that decision.
The White House referred Axios’ request for comment to DHS, which did not immediately respond. Although Trump announced last month on Truth Social that he would end TPS protections for all Somalis living in Minnesota “immediately,” Secretary Noem said the agency is still reviewing the matter.
If TPS were revoked, the change would apply to Somali nationals nationwide—not only those living in Minnesota.
