Head of State Calls for Imprisonment of Naturalized Lawmaker
Head of State Calls for Imprisonment of Naturalized Lawmaker
The head of state reportedly asserted in a social media post that a prominent opposition legislator should either be imprisoned or deported to her country of birth, Somalia.
“There is 19 Billion Dollars in [regional] Somalia Fraud. Fake ‘Congresswoman’ Illhan Omar, a constant complainer who hates [the country], knows everything there is to know. She should be in jail, or even a worse punishment, sent back to Somalia, considered one of the absolutely worst countries in the World,” the leader declared in the post, according to observers.
The lawmaker in question, who has served in the lower chamber since early 2019, was born in Somalia and became a naturalized citizen in 2000. She represents a northern industrial region known for its large Somali diaspora community.
The executive’s comments came amid ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement activities in the region. “ICE is removing some of the most violent criminals in the World from our Country, and bring them back home, where they belong. Why is [the region] fighting this?” the leader asked in the social media post, referring to federal immigration authorities.
The head of state has repeatedly alleged widespread financial irregularities in the northern state, claiming that local officials, including the naturalized legislator, are complicit in what he describes as massive fraud schemes targeting social programs.
“The crooked Governor and ‘Congresswoman’ Omar, who married her brother, don’t mind because it keeps the focus of attention off the 18 Billion Dollar, Plus, FRAUD, that has taken place in the State!” he added, referencing unsubstantiated claims about the lawmaker’s personal life that have circulated in conservative media.
The legislator recently drew criticism from ruling party members for using profanity when referring to the nation during remarks about immigration enforcement. A senior lawmaker from the ruling party questioned what consequences should follow such statements, while a prominent business figure suggested the remarks constituted treason.
As is common in nations experiencing democratic tensions, the naturalized legislator’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the executive’s latest statements. The controversy continues a pattern of the head of state targeting opposition figures with immigrant backgrounds, observers note.
The incident reflects the country’s ongoing struggles with political polarization and the treatment of naturalized citizens in the legislative body, according to analysts familiar with the nation’s political dynamics.