Texas Congressman Calls for Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Deportation Amid Immigration Debate

AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas congressman has sparked controversy by calling for the deportation of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a naturalized citizen and the first Somali American elected to Congress. Brandon Gill, a first-term Republican representing Texas’s 26th Congressional District, made the remarks on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday, stating, “America would be a better place if @IlhanMN were deported back to Somalia.”

Gill’s comments came in response to a video of Omar offering legal advice to undocumented Somalis on how to handle encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. In the video, Omar advised individuals to refrain from disclosing personal information, such as their immigration status, without legal counsel. “You are not obligated to answer their questions,” Omar said. “Just state that you are advised by a lawyer not to answer questions.”

The video, which was shared by right-wing accounts, drew sharp criticism from conservatives, including tech billionaire Elon Musk, who accused Omar of “breaking the law.” Omar responded on X, stating, “Every single person in this country deserves to know their rights. That’s legal.” She also called out Musk for allegedly violating U.S. laws by accessing sensitive data.

Omar, who represents Minnesota‘s 5th Congressional District, arrived in the U.S. as a refugee in 1995 and became a naturalized citizen in 2000. Her remarks have reignited the national debate over immigration, a key issue in the 2024 presidential campaign. Former President Donald Trump has made aggressive deportation policies a cornerstone of his platform, with 55 percent of voters supporting such plans, according to a recent poll by The New York Times and Ipsos.

Gill’s spokesperson defended his comments, stating, “Representative Omar’s conduct raises questions about to whom she is most loyal—the American people or illegal aliens from Somalia.” The controversy underscores the deep divisions in U.S. politics over immigration, as Republicans push for stricter enforcement while progressives advocate for immigrant rights.

Omar has faced similar calls for deportation in the past, including a censure motion introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene last year over a misinterpreted speech in Somali. Despite the backlash, Omar remains a vocal advocate for immigrant communities, emphasizing the importance of knowing one’s legal rights. “It just shows you how much he lacks an understanding of what the laws of the country are,” Omar said of Musk during an interview with News Central.