Local workshops are swamped
Rep. Ilhan Omar is once again at the center of a storm of racist tweets and online backlash after a recent interview with a Somali reporter at Norway House in Minneapolis, where she emphasized key rights that individuals have when approached by ICE. “If ICE attempts to question you, you are not obligated to answer their questions,” subtitles on the video read, sparking a campaign intended to distract from the core issues: the rights of migrants — whether documented or undocumented — and the ongoing lawsuits against Elon Musk’s team. The controversy intensified when Ian Miles Cheong shared a video of the interview on Twitter, claiming Omar was “conducting seminars for Somalians who are living illegally in the U.S. without documentation, providing guidance on how to evade deportation.” This caught the attention of Musk and his online supporters, amplifying the controversy with accusations that Omar was “breaking the law” and offering advice on how to evade deportation.
A federal judge signed an order on Feb. 6th temporarily restricting the Elon Musk-headed department of government efficiency’s access to certain federal systems. This move comes amid ongoing controversies around Musk’s department and his role in the immigration debate. Musk’s critics, including his online followers, have capitalized on the viral video to fuel further animosity, claiming that Omar was encouraging illegal activities.
Former Trump campaign staffer Greg Price shared the video, stating, “Ilhan Omar is now hosting workshops for Somalians living in the country illegally to advise them on how to avoid being deported.” Rep. Brandon Gill, a freshman congressman, reposted Price’s tweet, suggesting, “America would be a better place if @IlhanMN were deported back to Somalia.”
Omar responded sharply, calling out those questioning her status as a member of Congress. “How stupid you have to be to be a member of Congress and think your colleague who is a member of Congress can be deported,” she told Politico. “What a dumbass. I’m not a nepo baby. I had to crawl my way into Congress, and I think these idiots who buy their seats have no idea what a privilege it is to be a member of Congress and what it takes.”
“Yes, and our office has been inundated with calls throughout the week,” Jacklyn Rogers, Omar’s spokesperson, told the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. The congresswoman’s office has received an overwhelming number of calls following the viral video, surpassing the phone calls that came in after Ron DeSantis posted on Twitter: “Expel from Congress, denaturalize and deport!” Rogers explained. That supposed uproar followed a video that was selectively edited and mistranslated last year.
Meanwhile, the spotlight on Omar comes amid ongoing legal tensions involving Musk’s department of government efficiency. This department is currently facing numerous lawsuits from Democratic Attorneys General, who seek to block Musk’s efforts to access sensitive federal payment systems, further complicating the national conversation around immigration and governmental overreach. Right-wing defenders of Musk’s actions are pushing a false narrative that he is legally empowered to control federal agencies, which distracts from the critical issues of immigrant rights and the growing legal challenges Musk’s team is facing.
While Musk and his team of online supporters continue to capitalize on the viral moment, immigration activists in the Twin Cities have been hosting workshops focused on educating the immigrant community about their rights when dealing with ICE. One such seminar, organized by the Minnesota Immigration Rights Action Committee (MIRAC), saw a full turnout with participants traveling from as far as Wisconsin to attend.
MIRAC’s workshop emphasized critical legal advice for those approached by ICE. Attendees were reminded that individuals have the right to remain silent and refuse searches of their person or home unless ICE has a compelling warrant. This right applies whether approached by ICE agents at home, at work, during a traffic stop, or as part of a broader immigration raid. Importantly, ICE agents typically carry administrative warrants, which are different from criminal search warrants signed by local judges for evidence collection in criminal investigations.
In addition to MIRAC’s workshop, grassroots organizations in the community are also pushing back against the misinformation. Erika Zurawski, a member of MIRAC, a volunteer-based advocacy group, spoke out about the need for stronger immigrant protections. “Well, so MIRAC is an all-volunteer grassroots organization, right? We’re comprised of individuals who get together to oppose unjust laws and policies attacking immigrants and also to fight for, you know, positive changes in policies, whether that be on the local, state, or national level,” she explained.
Zurawski also discussed how her organization is helping people navigate the fear and anxiety that comes with current immigration policies: “We work with individuals who have, like, removal cases pending in immigration court or like, had them before, and they were able to get them dismissed, you know, under the Biden administration. And we work with communities, and you know, whether that be undocumented or documented or various levels of just kind of temporary status here in the US, we work with various communities who, at all levels, are terrified right now, including permanent residents right? Like even permanent residents feel like their status isn’t safe enough, and are concerned that something could happen with the under this Trump administration.”
Colleen Riley from MIRAC also highlighted the growing demand for immigrant rights education, noting the overwhelming interest in their upcoming training sessions: “I believe we are full because of the large amount of interest in our next training session for Know Your Rights issues. However, we will continue to hold additional ones coming up in March. We might be in other cities in Minnesota, like Rochester and Red Wing even. Please watch our social media.”
The ongoing national conversation around ICE rights continues to shape the debate in Minnesota, as activists work to educate and support immigrants who feel their safety is at risk.
Clint Combs is a contributor to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. Find him on Twitter @Combs0294. You can also send Combs news tips on the Signal app @Combs0294.