Friday January 24, 2025
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (HOL) — U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has denounced President Donald Trump’s executive order halting all refugee movement and suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), describing it as an inhumane and immoral decision that undermines America’s values.
Omar, representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, which includes the largest Somali diaspora in the United States, warned that the order would have devastating global consequences, leaving countless individuals in desperate situations. “At a time when global strife, economic uncertainty, and the climate crisis are fueling unprecedented levels of forced migration, it is beyond shameful the president has turned our back on those suffering from global catastrophe,” she said in a statement issued Wednesday. “This inhumane decision will have dangerous ripple effects around the world. Untold numbers of people around the world are hoping, praying, and counting on the United States to live up to the promise of being a country that welcomes them to a land of peace and opportunity.”
The congresswoman, herself a former refugee, spoke about the deeply personal nature of the issue. “My family and I were given a golden ticket to immigrate to the United States. Now untold numbers of people huddled in refugee camps around the world will not be afforded the same fate,” she stated. Omar also pointed out that many of her constituents have family members who have been waiting years to be resettled in the United States.
Minnesota is home to the largest Somali diaspora in the United States, with estimates ranging from 58,800 individuals of Somali descent to approximately 80,000, according to data from the Minnesota State Demographic Center and Minnesota Compass in 2018. However, community leaders have suggested the figure is much higher, with some estimating it’s closer to 150,000. Concentrated in neighbourhoods like Minneapolis’s Cedar-Riverside, often called “Little Mogadishu,” the Somali diaspora has built thriving businesses, cultural centers, and community organizations. However, Omar warned that Trump’s refugee ban threatens to deepen family separations and disrupt the cultural fabric of these closely-knit communities.
Trump’s order, signed just days after his inauguration, has drawn widespread criticism from progressive lawmakers and humanitarian organizations. Omar argued that the decision represents a stark departure from the principles of justice and compassion that the United States has long championed. “This order not only flies in the face of basic morality but also goes directly against our values,” she said.
The congresswoman called on the Trump administration to reconsider its stance. “This disastrous decision will have life-altering consequences that are beyond comprehension. For the sake of millions of children yearning for a better tomorrow, I hope the Administration changes course.”
Omar’s remarks echo the concerns of refugee advocates, who have warned that the suspension of USRAP will leave vulnerable populations, including women and children, at greater risk.
Trump’s recent executive orders have already prompted a flurry of legal challenges. Attorneys general from 22 states have filed lawsuits to block Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship, a policy enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also announced plans to challenge the birthright citizenship directive in court, emphasizing that “birthright citizenship is a cornerstone of our democracy.”
The move also signals a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration policy under Trump, with early indications of a broader crackdown on immigration expected in the coming weeks. Rights groups warn that Trump’s executive order could effectively reinstate the controversial Muslim travel ban, further exacerbating concerns over religious discrimination.
Omar’s rebuke also extended to prominent Democratic leaders, including President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama, for attending Trump’s inauguration earlier this week. During an appearance on CNN’s “The Source” with Kaitlan Collins, she argued that their participation contradicted their earlier statements about Trump being a “threat to democracy.”
“To have a mass number of leaders who spent years condemning his policies now attend his swearing-in sends the wrong message,” Omar said.
The congresswoman has remained a vocal critic of Trump since he targeted her during his 2020 campaign, questioning her American loyalty and linking her to Somalia’s struggles. “She’s telling us how to run our country. How did you do where you came from?” Trump remarked at a rally.
Omar’s condemnation of the executive order adds another chapter to her ongoing public clashes with Trump. She has consistently fired back, framing Trump’s comments as racist and doubling down on her advocacy for immigrant and refugee rights.
