Rep. Brandon Gill Slams Ilhan Omar for Advising Undocumented Immigrants on Legal Rights
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) is raising concerns after a video surfaced showing Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) giving legal advice to undocumented immigrants during a local community event.
In the video, Rep. Omar tells attendees—some of whom may be undocumented or out of legal status—that they don’t have to answer questions from immigration officers without a lawyer present. “You are not obligated to answer their questions,” Omar says in the clip. “Just state that you are advised by a lawyer not to answer questions.”
The video quickly gained traction on social media and drew sharp criticism. Rep. Gill reposted it with a blunt warning, suggesting it raises serious questions about the role of elected officials in immigration enforcement.
A spokesperson for Gill later clarified his stance: “Representative Omar’s conduct raises questions about to whom she is most loyal—the American people or those who are here unlawfully.”
The controversy comes as immigration enforcement ramps up nationwide. Federal officials have begun targeting individuals with criminal records or deportation orders, according to Tom Homan, a former ICE director now working with the current administration.
“Anyone found to be in the country illegally is subject to arrest and deportation,” Homan said in a recent interview. He added that during these operations, agents often arrest others found to be undocumented—even if they weren’t the original target. “We expect a lot of collateral arrests,” he said.
When asked about enforcement near sensitive locations like schools or hospitals, Homan emphasized that ICE follows strict guidelines. “If someone poses a national security threat or public safety risk, then yes, we are going to act,” he said.
The moment has sparked renewed debate over how public officials should address immigration, and how to balance law enforcement with civil rights and community trust.