Rep. Ilhan Omar Says Son Was Stopped by ICE Agents in Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN — December 14, 2025

Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota revealed Sunday that her son was pulled over by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents the previous day and required to prove his U.S. citizenship, escalating tensions amid a heightened federal immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities area.

In an interview with CBS Minnesota affiliate WCCO, Omar described the incident occurring Saturday after her son, identified in some reports as Adnan Hirsi, had stopped at a Target store. "Yesterday, after he made a stop at Target, he did get pulled over by ICE agents, and once he was able to produce his passport ID, they did let him go," Omar said.

The congresswoman, a Somali-American who has been a vocal critic of immigration policies under the Trump administration, accused the agents of racial profiling. She stated that her son, a U.S. citizen born in the country, routinely carries his passport due to concerns over increased enforcement targeting the Somali community. Omar further claimed this was not an isolated encounter, noting that ICE agents had previously entered a mosque where her son was praying but departed without taking action.

"I had to remind him just how worried I am, because all of these areas that they are talking about are areas where he could possibly find himself in and they are racially profiling—they are looking for young men who look Somali that they think are undocumented," Omar told WCCO.

The incident comes amid "Operation Metro Surge," a recent surge in ICE activity in Minnesota aimed at undocumented immigrants, particularly from the Somali community. Reports indicate over 400 arrests have been made since the operation began earlier this month. President Donald Trump has made pointed criticisms of Somali immigrants and Omar personally in recent weeks, calling for stronger enforcement.On Friday, Omar sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, decrying what she called "blatant racial profiling" and "egregious" use of force by agents in the region.

ICE has not issued a public comment on the specific incident involving Omar's son. The agency has previously stated that its operations focus on individuals with criminal records or deportation orders.Omar, who fled Somalia as a child and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2000, has long advocated for immigrant rights and criticized federal enforcement tactics. The episode has drawn widespread attention online, with reactions ranging from support for Omar's profiling claims to calls for continued strict immigration measures.

The story continues to develop as community leaders and lawmakers monitor the ongoing ICE operations in Minnesota.