Rep. Omar Accuses Gov. Noem of Spreading Misinformation About Minneapolis ICE Operations

Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar has publicly challenged Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over claims regarding immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, accusing the administration official of spreading “lies and propaganda” about ICE arrests in Minnesota.

The dispute erupted Tuesday when Omar responded to Noem’s social media post on X (formerly Twitter) that claimed federal officials had “arrested over 10,000 criminal illegal aliens who were killing Americans, hurting children and reigning terror in Minneapolis,” with an alleged 3,000 arrests occurring in the past six weeks. Noem’s post included numerous photographs of individuals she described as “criminal illegal aliens.”

“This would be amazing if it wasn’t full of lies and propaganda,” Omar countered in her response. “The only reason she has photos of these criminals in prison is because they were already in prison. Stop terrorizing people with your fake PR about criminals in Minneapolis because the only people on the streets of Minneapolis you are arresting are law abiding citizens.”

Omar, who represents Minnesota’s 5th congressional district encompassing much of Minneapolis and is herself a Somali-born immigrant, has been an outspoken critic of immigration enforcement tactics under the Trump administration. Her rebuke comes amid heightened federal presence in the Twin Cities region.

The exchange highlights escalating tensions over immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Currently, an estimated 3,000 federal agents have been deployed to Minneapolis and St. Paul following a major fraud scandal that rocked the state in late 2025. The increased federal presence has generated significant controversy among local residents and officials.

Further complicating matters is the recent killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent, which critics point to as evidence of overly aggressive tactics by federal immigration authorities. Community advocates claim these operations are designed to intimidate local populations rather than enhance public safety.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Omar’s allegations regarding the accuracy of Noem’s claims about arrest numbers.

The dispute reflects broader national divisions over immigration policy. President Donald Trump had previously suggested invoking the Insurrection Act to address what his administration characterizes as unrest in Minnesota, though reports indicate he has since backed away from that proposal. Earlier, Trump had controversially suggested that Omar herself should be jailed or returned to Somalia.

Minnesota has become a flashpoint in the immigration debate, with the Republican administration pointing to public safety concerns while Democratic representatives like Omar argue that enforcement operations are targeting law-abiding community members and creating a climate of fear.

The confrontation between Omar and Noem illustrates the increasingly partisan nature of immigration discourse, with fundamental disagreements about both the facts on the ground and the appropriate approach to enforcement. While federal officials maintain that operations target individuals with criminal records who pose public safety threats, critics question both the numbers being reported and the methods being employed.

As federal operations continue in the Twin Cities region, the dispute underscores how immigration enforcement has become one of the most contentious and politically charged issues facing Minnesota communities.