Ilhan Omar Declares Somali Criminals In US ‘Are Not Going Anywhere’

Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar claimed on Thursday that illegal Somali immigrants are protected under the 14th Amendment and will never leave the U.S.

Omar claimed on “The Joy Reid Show” that these Somalis, many of whom are in the country illegally, are just as American as anyone else and that they are “not going anywhere.” President Donald Trump’s administration is cracking down on illegal Somalis in response to reports that Somali nationals in Minnesota funneled “untold millions” of dollars from the state’s welfare system and sent it to Al-Shabaab, a terrorist organization responsible for the deaths of at least 11 Americans.

“I know that those of us that are Somali in this country see ourselves as Americans. That’s what our passport says, that’s what our nationality is. And we know that we are protected by the 14th Amendment. We know that we are not going anywhere,” Omar said. “And there is no way, I mean he needs to just, I know he says he’s never met me. Maybe he needs to spend 5 minutes with me, because then he would know that as Somalis, we are never intimidated. We are never going to feel like our esteem or confidence is shaken by a bigoted fool making a mockery of the White House, of our nation and of the presidency.”

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched aggressive operations in Minneapolis and St. Paul to deport Somali nationals and is prioritizing those with final removal orders. The enforcement came after Trump told reporters that he does not want Somalis and other third-worlders in the country.

Federal prosecutors are pursuing cases involving more than $1 billion in stolen taxpayer funds to state and federal social services programs, including those that are intended to feed poor children and provide care to autistic kids. Prosecutors secured 59 convictions thus far in fraud tied to pandemic feeding programs, housing assistance and autism therapy services.