The Adam Friedland Show Rep. ILHAN OMAR Talks Terror In Minneapolis And Becoming American
Apr 15, 2026
Ilhan Omar, U.S. Representative and former Somali refugee, reflects on learning English, becoming American, and surviving war. She discusses threats and security in Minneapolis, community responses to federal raids, and the politics of being a visible Muslim immigrant. The conversation mixes serious accounts with lighter moments like a Somali tea bit.
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Childhood Flight From Somalia
- Ilhan Omar escaped Somalia's civil war at age eight and lived in a Kenyan refugee camp before moving to the U.S. at 12.
- She describes a loving extended family in Mogadishu and the abrupt shift to checkpoints, child soldiers, and bombs that forced their displacement.
Visibility Shapes Political Targeting
- Omar believes much of the backlash she faces stems from being an immigrant and visibly Muslim rather than gender or race alone.
- She notes visibility—wearing a hijab—and immigrant status made her uniquely targeted in national politics.
Learning English From TV And Captions
- Omar learned English rapidly by watching TV with captions and mimicking dialogue, becoming fluent within months.
- She credits shows like Family Matters and captions for helping her adopt American language and culture.