Tomi Lahren calls Ilhan Omar 'perfect poster child' for halting immigration from third-world nations

WASHINGTON, DC: Fox News firebrand Tomi Lahren slammed Rep Ilhan Omar for criticizing US immigration enforcement, branding the Minnesota Democrat the “perfect poster child” for why America should shut the border tight.

The clash erupted after Omar said Americans should be “ashamed” that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is deporting illegal immigrants from what she called "the US goddamn States."

Ilhan Omar bashes ICE at Minnesota hearing

Omar’s comments came during a Democratic field hearing in St Paul, Minnesota, on Friday, January 16, titled “Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Deadly Assault on Minnesota.”

The congresswoman condemned ICE enforcement and compared federal actions to authoritarian regimes she said she fled as a refugee.

“I do not want to curse, but those of us who escaped places like that, the one place where we thought we would never experience this is the US goddamn states,” Omar said during the hearing.

She went on to say she was “ashamed” of what she described as federal actions being “broadcast to the rest of the world,” adding that people had reached out to her asking whether such conduct was really happening in America.

The remarks were delivered as ICE activity has increased across Minnesota, sparking violent protests and political blowback.

 Tomi Lahren slams Ilhan Omar on ‘The Big Weekend Show’

Lahren fired back during Sunday's episode of 'The Big Weekend Show', after Fox aired footage of Omar criticizing ICE.

“Well, listen, I actually have to thank Congresswoman Ilhan Omar,” Lahren said, “because she has served as the perfect poster child for why we need a closed border and why we need to stop importing people from third-world countries who have no respect for this country, no respect for our laws and those who enforce them.”

Her co-host, Joey Jones, chuckled as Lahren went after Omar with little restraint.

Lahren also took aim at Democrats like California Rep Eric Swalwell, who vowed this week that he would take away the driver’s licenses of ICE “a**holes” if he becomes the state’s next governor.

According to Lahren, figures like Swalwell and Omar show where Democratic priorities lie.

“Democrats are always on the side of the illegal aliens,” Lahren said, referring to undocumented immigrants. “They want the illegal aliens to get driver’s licenses, but they want to take the driver’s license from ICE agents who are enforcing federal immigration law.”

Spotlight on Somalis, anti-ICE protests in Minnesota

The spat comes as Minnesota has found itself at the center of controversy for much of the past two months.

Omar, who was born in Somalia and became a naturalized US citizen in 2000, has been a vocal opponent of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies. 

She has repeatedly criticized ICE activity in Minneapolis and St Paul.

Her most recent comments came amid heightened federal enforcement activity in the state following a major fraud investigation and increased scrutiny of ICE operations. 

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is also in hot water after prosecutors said an “industrial-scale” fraud scheme took place in the state.

The New York Post reported the scheme was carried out by “dozens of people — the vast majority from Minnesota’s Somali community.” More than 90 people have been charged. 

President Donald Trump has slammed both Walz and Somalis living in Minnesota over the allegations.

Minnesota has also seen a wave of anti-ICE protests over the past two weeks following the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good.

The White House has accused Minnesota Democratic officials of fueling anti-ICE rhetoric and promoting “sanctuary” policies that undermine public safety and contribute to a hostile environment for federal officers.