A recent proposal by Republican Representative Brandon Gill of Texas to deport Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota has ignited a political firestorm. Highlighting deep partisan divides, Rep. Gill accuses Omar of advising illegal immigrants on how to evade ICE, an action he equates to treason.
The Daily Caller reported that in a fundraising email leaked by Axios, Gill expressed that the removal of Omar to Somalia would be in the United States' best interest. He urged his supporters to join a petition advocating for her deportation, sparking widespread controversy in the political sphere.
The email details Gill's claim that Omar has been instructing Somali immigrants illegally in the U.S. on how to avoid encounters and cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Gill asserts that Omar's actions are disloyal to the United States, accusing her of siding with non-citizens over her own country, which he labels as an act against national interests.
In a prior media interview, Omar reportedly advised the Somali community on dealing with ICE, suggesting they should not provide personal information without legal representation. She emphasized knowing and understanding U.S. laws to safeguard themselves from potential deportation.
A tweet added fuel to the fire by indicating Omar’s involvement in conducting workshops in Minneapolis, aimed at educating Somali immigrants on how to remain in the U.S. despite their illegal status.
Omar, who fled war-torn Somalia with her family in 1991, lived in a Kenyan refugee camp for four years before being granted asylum in the United States in 1995.
She became a U.S. citizen in 2000 and later went on to become a congresswoman, representing a significant Somali-American constituency in Minnesota.
Gill’s remarks were clarified in a CNN interview on February 6, 2025, where he explained that his call for Omar’s deportation was not literal but rather a criticism of her loyalty and advocacy practices.
Omar responded sharply to Gill's accusations, labeling them as racist and fascist. She defended the contributions of immigrants to the United States and criticized what she described as Gill's attention-seeking tactics.
This exchange of harsh words illustrates the increasingly bitter and divided nature of political discourse in America, especially on matters of immigration and national loyalty.
During the CNN segment, Gill reiterated his stance that his comments were intended to express dissatisfaction with Omar's priorities, implying she places the interests of undocumented immigrants over those of U.S. citizens.
The anchor reminded viewers, "She is a duly elected member of Congress. Her constituents put her in office," highlighting the democratic foundation underpinning Omar's position.
Omar, on her part, insists that her focus has always been on upholding American values and the laws, which provide for such asylum and immigration processes that once protected her and her family.
The legality and ethicality of Gill's petition have come into question, with experts debating the boundaries of free speech versus harmful rhetoric in the political arena.
The incident brings to light the sensitive intersection of immigration policy, political representation, and the rights of elected officials under scrutiny for their advocacy.
Both the offices of Omar and Gill have remained silent on further inquiries, reflecting perhaps the volatile nature of the issue and the high stakes involved in such nationally charged debates.