First-term GOP Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas made headlines by calling for Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar to be deported back to Somalia. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Gill shared a video in which Omar appears to instruct Somali immigrants—some possibly undocumented—on how to respond if approached by U.S. immigration officials. He stated, “America would be a better place if @IlhanMN were deported back to Somalia,” drawing both sharp criticism and fervent support online.
The video, originally shared by conservative influencer Greg Price, shows Omar giving advice to Somalians in the U.S. about their rights during immigration enforcement. She tells them not to disclose their name, status, or entry method, and to assert that they’ve been advised by a lawyer not to answer questions. Many of Gill’s followers saw this as a violation of federal law, with some calling for her expulsion and criminal investigation.
Gill further escalated his remarks, saying the U.S. should have never allowed Omar to enter the country. His spokesperson echoed this sentiment, accusing Omar of prioritizing illegal immigrants over the American public. The spokesperson called it disgraceful for a U.S. Congresswoman to allegedly facilitate illegal entry and resistance to immigration laws.
The controversy unfolded just as President Trump’s new administration was preparing to launch sweeping immigration enforcement operations. Tom Homan, the incoming “border czar,” stated that while ICE would prioritize criminals, all undocumented immigrants would be subject to arrest. He noted that sanctuary cities would likely see high numbers of collateral arrests during these efforts.
In a contentious interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Homan defended the administration’s aggressive immigration strategy. When asked about the risk of ICE operations near schools or churches, he insisted those with criminal ties should feel afraid. He maintained that enforcement would not spare those locations if national security or public safety were at stake, reinforcing the administration’s no-tolerance approach.
