Immigration and Customs Enforcement Responds to Omar’s Claims
Todd Lyons, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has denied a claim made by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) that agents stopped her son while he was leaving a store.
Omar stated in an interview that her son was pulled over by ICE but was released after showing his passport. “He showed them his ID, and they let him go,” she explained.
During the interview, the WCCO host asked, “So your son went to Target with his passport?”
Omar confirmed, saying, “He always keeps it on him, just in case.” The host mentioned that it was possibly related to ICE.
Lyons remarked that no evidence supports Omar’s claims, stating, “ICE has no record of any officers or agents stopping Rep. Omar’s son.” He added that the allegations showcase a lack of credible proof from her.
Omar’s press secretary, Jacquelyn Rogers, defended the claims, asserting that her son, along with others, was, in fact, stopped by ICE and subjected to unnecessary scrutiny regarding their citizenship.
Rogers criticized ICE as an untrustworthy agency, suggesting it has a history of inaccuracies in its records. She expressed willingness to review ICE’s claims about their documentation practices.
Meanwhile, Omar continues to face criticism from various quarters, particularly regarding her stance on illegal immigration and links to a welfare fraud scandal involving Somali immigrants in Minnesota. One notable case implicated an organization named Feeding Our Future, which allegedly misappropriated funds intended for child food assistance.
In light of these developments, Omar dismissed criticism as mere “incitement to hate and fear.”
However, some colleagues, including House Majority Leader Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), have publicly condemned her and labeled her rhetoric as harmful.
Emmer pointed out that a significant portion of those indicted in connection with the fraud scheme were from Omar’s Somali community, emphasizing that regulation of her actions remains lax in the media.
“There seems to be a reluctance to hold her accountable,” he stated, suggesting that public opinion still aligns with the sentiments expressed by Donald Trump.
