December 2025

As post-election tensions intensify and President Donald Trump signals sweeping deportation crackdowns, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is once again at the center of the national debate—not for anything new she said, but because of the resurgent anti-Somali rhetoric she and her community continue to face.

The Post That Triggered a Firestorm

On November 22, 2025, Omar responded on X to a user, @richirich1968, who wrote:

“It’s over @IlhanMN … go back to where you came from! Deportations are coming, courtesy of @realDonaldTrump.”

Omar didn’t flinch. Her reply:

“I am a citizen and so are majority of Somalis in America.
Good luck celebrating a policy change that really doesn’t have much impact on the Somalis you love to hate.
We are here to stay.”

The post became one of her most viral since the election—13,000+ likes, 1,800 reposts, nearly 5 million views.

Context: Trump’s 2025 Anti-Somali Narrative

Omar’s response came amid:

Trump’s renewed calls to deport undocumented Somalis,

his push to terminate TPS for Somalis,

an order to re-examine green cards from 19 “countries of concern,” and

comments in which he called Somali immigrants “garbage,”

said Somalia is “barely a country,”

and accused Somali Americans of “taking over Minnesota.”

Many of his attacks have blurred the line between undocumented immigrants and naturalized citizens, the latter of whom cannot be deported without denaturalization—a complex legal process requiring proof of intentional fraud.

“Creepy and Unhealthy”: Omar on Trump’s Obsession

In an additional statement that circulated widely, Omar said:

“Our President’s obsession with me and the Somali community is creepy and unhealthy.
I am not someone to be intimidated, and we are not going to be scapegoated.”

This echoes her past public comments, including a 2019 rally speech after Trump supporters chanted “Send her back!”, where she called his fixation “racist and dangerous.”

Why Omar’s Words Matter

Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the United States—100,000+, most of whom are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

Her message serves two political purposes:

1. Reassurance to Her Community

With ICE raids escalating and misinformation spreading, anxiety is high—especially among mixed-status families.

Her bilingual outreach (in English and Somali) aligns with local leaders like Minneapolis City Council Member Jamal Osman, who told worried families this week:

“You are not alone. Your city stands behind you.”

2. A Political Counterpunch

By emphasizing the citizenship status of most Somali Americans, Omar exposes both the factual inaccuracy and xenophobic nature of attacks suggesting mass deportation of Minnesota Somalis is plausible.

Reactions: A Familiar Split

Supporters

Progressive lawmakers—including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—boosted her post, framing it as a defense of civil rights and the 14th Amendment.

Somali community groups, including the Somali American Alliance, issued statements affirming:

“We are permanent members of this society. We contribute, we vote, we lead.”

Critics

Conservative pundits accused her of:

“arrogance,”

“invoking identity for political cover,”

and “pretending citizenship protects her from scrutiny.”

Commentators on Fox News framed her response as dismissive of immigration enforcement.

Far-Right Reaction

Online harassment surged immediately, including hashtags like #DeportOmar, despite the impossibility of deporting a naturalized citizen absent proven fraud.

Much of the backlash repeats the long-debunked conspiracy theory that Omar committed immigration fraud—a claim investigated multiple times between 2019–2021 with no charges filed.

Bigger Picture: Omar’s Defiance as Strategy

Omar’s posture signals three things:

1. She refuses to cede the narrative.

Instead of retreating, she confronts attacks head-on, often turning them into viral moments that galvanize her base.

2. She frames the fight around citizenship.

By asserting “we are here to stay,” she centers the debate on American identity—not immigration paperwork.

3. She links personal attacks to broader marginalized groups.

In a recent CNN clip, she said:

“There is a lot of hate in this country for Muslims and Black people, especially Black women.
And there is severe hate for immigrants. I fit them all.”

Her defenders see it as truth-telling; critics see it as deflection.

Conclusion: A Flashpoint for 2026

Omar’s reply isn’t just a clapback—it’s a signal of how Democrats may approach Trump’s second-term immigration agenda:
Call out the rhetoric, insist on legal protections, and reassure communities under threat.

Whether that strategy will calm fears, inflame opposition, or define the 2026 midterms remains to be seen.