Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and other Somali leaders across the state share feelings of encouragement and honor after Omar was recognized as the most inspiring immigrant in Minnesota. 

Omar, who has been a U.S. Representative since 2018, won her reelection campaign in the 2024 primaries in Minnesota. Omar was the first Somali American and Muslim woman elected to Congress and the first woman of color to represent Minnesota in Congress. 

Guide2Fluency, an organization aiming to help people learn new languages, recently published a national poll naming the most inspiring immigrants in each state within the U. S. The poll listed Omar as the most inspiring in Minnesota. 

Omar said she is honored to be recognized as Minnesota’s most inspirational immigrant. She added that she would not be in Congress without the inspiration and courage of other immigrants who helped pave a path forward. 

“As someone who has lived as a refugee, survived war and an immigrant who’s been given the great opportunity by the American people to start over life here and be elected to Congress,” Omar said. “It is just incredible.”

Minneapolis City Council Member Jamal Osman (Ward 6), who was born in Somalia and was briefly a refugee in Kenya before immigrating to the U.S. when he was 14, said in an email statement that Omar is a true inspiration to all immigrants across Minnesota and that her journey from refugee to political leader shows that anything is possible. 

“Recognizing Ilhan as Minnesota’s most inspiring immigrant is vital because it celebrates her achievements and reminds us that we all have the power to make a difference in our communities,” Osman said in the statement. 

Omar grew up in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood in Minneapolis after immigrating to the U. S. in the late ‘90s from Somalia. Omar said her father and grandfather raised her to take the opportunity to participate in democracy and use her voice to represent herself and others. 

“They were really excited as Somalia immigrants when they came to the United States to get that opportunity because in this country you do have that voice,” Omar said. “I’ve been really involved ever since I was a teen in trying to fight for that more perfect union that the founding fathers attached us with.”

Minnesota House Rep. Samakab Hussein (DFL-St. Paul), who came to the U.S. from Somalia when he was 14, said Omar’s whole career represents hope, perseverance and the reality that immigrants can achieve anything they set their minds to despite the adversity. 

“Her leadership breaks the barrier, and it challenges stereotypes, showing young girls, Black, brown, Muslim, immigrant and marginalized communities that they belong here and can succeed,” Hussein said. 

Omar gained national attention throughout her political career for being involved in passing legislation such as the Combating International Islamophobia Act in 2021, continued work for student debt cancellation and more. Omar joined “Squad,” a progressive group within Congress, in 2018 alongside Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich). 

Omar said her work on a national level as one of the first female, Muslim and immigrant representatives garnered national interest because it showed that what once was thought of as impossible is possible. 

“It gives people a lot of hope to continue to believe in themselves, to continue to build community and coalitions around them and to achieve their dreams,” Omar said. 

Hussein said what motivated him to pursue a leadership role in Minnesota was seeing his father go to every caucus he could and always trying to participate in politics. With his background from Somalia, Hussein said he understands the challenges of starting in a new country which helps him advocate for others like him. 

“Being a leader as an immigrant is not just about personal achievement,” Hussein said. “It is about uplifting the next generation and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard regardless of where they come from.”

Osman said he is proud to be the only East African city council member in Minneapolis. He said in the statement that being an immigrant and a leader is important because he can provide representation for those who often go unheard. 

“This unique position allows me to connect with immigrants from not just our city, but from across the entire state of Minnesota,” Osman said in the statement. “Many East African immigrants reach out to me because they feel comfortable speaking with someone who understands their language and shares their background.”

Hussein said Omar’s journey highlights the importance of having people in leadership roles who reflect their community and bring fresh perspectives to policymaking. He added that immigrants bring a unique responsibility to leadership because of their resilience, hard work and cultural diversity.

Omar said she believes that many immigrants are thankful to live in the U. S. because wherever they look, they can see others like them in leadership positions. 

“They’re eager to build a home and a community. Very eager to fight to make sure folks don’t go through or experience the hardships that they’ve experienced and they are willing to prove themselves by working extremely hard,” Omar said. “And I think that example within our government encourages more people to do their best.”