U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is pushing back on Rep. Ilhan Omar’s claim that her son was pulled over by ICE agents, saying it has “zero record” of that happening.
ICE has increased its presence in Minnesota this month amid national scrutiny of the state’s fraud crisis and its Somali community. In a recent U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press release, the agency highlighted the work of “Operation Metro Surge.”
“ICE law enforcement officers have arrested more than 400 illegal aliens including pedophiles, rapists, and violent thugs since Operation Metro Surge began,” said Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Tim Walz and Jacob Frey failed to protect the people of Minnesota. They let these monsters and child predators roam free. Thanks to our brave law enforcement, Minnesota is safer with these thugs off their streets. Instead of thanking our law enforcement for removing criminals from their communities, Tim Walz and Jacob Frey continue to demonize our brave law enforcement.”
The release then showed photos and names of the “worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens arrested by ICE in Operation Metro Surge,” with some having orders for removal dating back to Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
On the same day of that press release, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D–Minn, sent two letters to DHS. The first letter was also sent to ICE, and accused federal agents in Minnesota of “blatant racial profiling.”
“It is clear to me that this surge came in direct response to Trump’s racist comments about Somali people, and about me in particular,” she wrote.
That same day, Omar sent a second letter, along with other Democratic lawmakers, in response to President Donald Trump’s announcement last month that he will end temporary deportation protections for Somalis in Minnesota.
Two days later, Omar appeared on TV and made allegations that ICE pulled over her son after he left a Target and asked him to prove his citizenship; she said once he produced his passport, he was allowed to go.
Gov. Tim Walz later posted on X that “Omar’s son was pulled over by ICE while he was following the law.”
“This isn’t a targeted operation to find violent criminals, it’s racial profiling,” he added.
Congresswoman Omar’s son was pulled over by ICE while he was following the law, on his way home from Target.
This isn’t a targeted operation to find violent criminals, it’s racial profiling.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) December 15, 2025
DHS then responded, saying: “ICE has absolutely ZERO record of its officers or agents pulling over Congresswoman Omar’s son. With no evidence, it is shameful that Congresswoman Omar would level accusations to demonize ICE as part of a PR stunt.”
ICE has absolutely ZERO record of its officers or agents pulling over Congresswoman Omar’s son.
With no evidence, it is shameful that Congresswoman Omar would level accusations to demonize ICE as part of a PR stunt.
Allegations that ICE engages in ‘racial profiling’ are… https://t.co/WKTz0rpir1
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) December 16, 2025
Omar responded on CNN by claiming that “ICE has been known to lie when it comes to their enforcement.”
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons then went on Newsmax and explained his side of the issue.
“If you think about the society we live in today, cellphones, recordings, social media,” he said. “If her son was pulled over, I’m pretty sure she’d have a video or something of it.” After checking with Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations, he said ICE has “zero evidence to say that we pulled that individual over.”
“If we did, I would be out there explaining why we did the enforcement actions we do, which we constantly do all the time,” he added.
