Ilhan Omar criticizes Trump's 'creepy and unhealthy obsession' as raids increase

On Wednesday, two significant federal immigration operations were underway in Minneapolis and New Orleans, coinciding with President Donald Trump's latest remarks about Somali immigrants and Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar. Civil rights groups have raised concerns that the timing and the president's rhetoric are only increasing fear among immigrant communities already preparing for potential enforcement actions.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Trump launched a new round of attacks against Somali immigrants, who form the largest immigrant group in Minnesota. He told reporters that "Somalians should be out of here" and claimed they had "destroyed our country." The president also denounced Somalia, saying it was "not even a nation" and stated he hoped never to visit the country, which led to backlash from local officials in Minneapolis.

Trump's criticism then turned to Omar, a Somali-American congresswoman who has frequently been a target of his remarks. The president mocked her by saying, "You have her talking about The constitution provides me with ' Go back to your own country and figure out your constitution." In response, Omar stated, "Our president's obsession with me and the Somali community really is creepy and unhealthy." She emphasized that her constituents "are not going to be scapegoated" and are "here to stay."

Reports from NBC News indicate that federal officials are preparing for a large-scale immigration operation in Minnesota, which is expected to heavily focus on Somali immigrants living unlawfully in the U.S.

Raids Already Underway in Minneapolis

Federal immigration agents began their operations in Minneapolis just hours before Trump's comments were made. While officials claim they are targeting immigrants accused of serious crimes, advocates warn that the operations are sweeping up a broader group of people, which has raised concerns in local communities.

Actions in New Orleans

In New Orleans, particularly in Kenner, a suburb with one of the largest Hispanic populations in Louisiana, Border Patrol agents were seen driving slowly through neighborhoods, gas stations, and large store parking lots in both marked and unmarked vehicles. Witnesses observed agents stopping a man mowing his lawn and surrounding a home where a man had climbed onto the roof before the officers eventually left. Some agents wore Border Patrol identifiers but covered their faces during the operations.

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official stated that the New Orleans surge targeted immigrants accused of crimes such as home invasion, armed robbery, grand theft auto, and rape. The agency has attributed some of the incidents to local "sanctuary-style" policies that allow individuals with ICE detainers to be released from custody.

Heightened Fear Among Immigrant Communities

The operation has instilled significant fear across immigrant neighborhoods in Jefferson Parish and surrounding areas. One Honduran immigrant shared with Noticias Telemundo that he has avoided leaving his home for two weeks, saying, "We've stopped going to work because our fear is that we'll be stopped."

Community advocate Roco Tirado told NBC News that only 8 out of 140 children showed up for soccer practice the night before the raids, with many parents too afraid to leave their homes. In response, local mutual-aid groups have begun deploying observers to document interactions with immigration agents, a strategy seen in other cities to deter misconduct.

The Scale of the Operations

According to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the administration aims to make at least 5,000 arrests during the New Orleans surge. Although officials claim that the focus is on "dangerous criminals," civil rights organizations argue that the raids are sweeping through entire neighborhoods and exacerbating racial profiling in both Minnesota and Louisiana.