A major political controversy has erupted after US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) publicly labeled Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar a liar. The agency's strong rebuke came in response to her claim that federal agents had pulled over her son and demanded proof of his citizenship.
ICE's Forceful Denial and Accusation of a 'PR Stunt'
The federal agency issued a categorical denial, stating it has absolutely zero record of any such incident involving its officers and the congresswoman's son. In a sharp escalation, ICE dismissed the allegation as a "PR stunt" and pointed out that Omar provided no evidence to support her story. The agency went further to address the underlying implication of her claim.
"Allegations that ICE engages in 'racial profiling' are disgusting, reckless and categorically FALSE," the agency declared. It asserted that enforcement actions are based solely on an individual's immigration status, not physical appearance. "What makes someone a target for immigration enforcement is if they are illegally in the U.S.—NOT their skin color, race, or ethnicity," the statement clarified, citing the Fourth Amendment's "reasonable suspicion" standard for arrests.
Omar's Original Allegation and White House Response
The conflict stems from a recent interview where Representative Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American Democrat, shared a disturbing account. She claimed her son was stopped by ICE agents who asked to see his proof of citizenship. Omar said her son, who now always carries his passport due to previous encounters, presented it and was allowed to go.
She framed this not as an isolated event but as part of a pattern of targeting. "They are looking for young men who look Somali that they think are undocumented," Omar alleged. She referenced a past incident where ICE agents entered a mosque where her son was praying, which prompted his habit of carrying his passport at all times.
Following Omar's initial claims, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the agency's conduct, stating ICE acts with the "utmost professionalism." Jackson shifted blame, arguing, "Anyone pointing the finger at law enforcement officers instead of the criminals are simply doing the bidding of criminal illegal aliens."
Broader Political Context and Personal Attacks
The dispute occurs against a backdrop of long-standing political animosity. Ilhan Omar, who became a US citizen in 2000, has frequently been a target for former President Donald Trump and his allies. Trump has previously spread the baseless rumor that Omar gained citizenship by marrying her brother—a claim she has vehemently denied, asserting none of her three husbands were related to her.
Omar has accused the current administration of cracking down on the Somali population in Minnesota and described Trump's focus on her and other Somalis as "creepy and disturbing." The clash with ICE represents a significant hardening of the direct conflict between the progressive lawmaker and federal immigration authorities, highlighting deep divisions over enforcement practices and accusations of systemic bias.
