The Fear of Immigrants in Politics

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has become an easy target for many of the far right, and she is the perfect target for many reasons. Firstly, she is a Woman in politics, which for many people is a major issue especially for the supporters of the far right. Women in politics have always had a hard time and given the fact that in America women just got a chance to vote in 1920, it is still a male-centered world. Secondly, Ilhan is a Black African woman hailing from Somalia, one of the poorest and dangerous places in the world. Former President Trump did not hold back in any of his attacks, even as going as far as scolding Minnesota residents for voting her in. This was met with chants yelling for her to be “Sent back.”

         It was America that provided Congresswoman Omar a safe place to live after her family fled Somalia to Dadaab, one of the most populated refugee camps in the world, to live in America. Much like most Somali refugees, Congresswoman Omar owes her education, safety and quality of life to America. I guess that would make someone “patriotic” enough, but not enough for far-right followers, who have tormented Omar and her family through sending death threats. Omar is not someone who shows much fear after all facing death is not something many Somalis have been shielded from, even as infants. While, facing high mortality rates is common, this type of savage, brutal attacks in politics is showing a major shift in the West, where refugees and immigrants are fair game and ideal punching bags. 

         Despite the negative push-back Congresswoman Omar delivered a scathing response when asked about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Somalia, “I would like, not just for you, but for everyone to know that if you want us to speak as politicians, American politicians, then you treat us as such.” This right there gets to the core of the issue when it comes to the abhorrent treatment of Immigrants in office, while they do the same duty, they are treated as 2nd class Politicians. Whose loyalty is always under scrutiny.

In Canadian politics, we can see similar framing of other politicians who once again look “different” and come from different backgrounds. Take Toronto’s newest Mayor Oliva Chow, who was born in Hong Kong but was raised in Canada, since moving from Hong Kong to Canada at the age of 13. Mayor Chow has made it clear that she feels Canadian, is Canadian and wants to serve the Canadian people, but her loyalties are in question, even if her intention is to help the country she loves and wants to serve.

         Millions of people fight to live in the West, largely to the unimaginable freedom we take for granted. Even me writing this paper and calling out the obvious fear of immigrants in politics, is something many people cannot due without the risk of endangerment and possible prison. Having freedom is something many people have fought for and died for and continue to do so in their homelands. In the West, we must continue to fight for these rights to be not taken away. So, if you want to question the loyalties of politicians, then do so, but apply this accordingly to all politicians who hold office. If they are not there to serve their people and understand their role in the history of their nation, they should all be told to “step down.”

The ideal politician should understand this and be there to fulfill what their nation needs and if they should question if they are the right person to do the job regardless of gender, race, sexuality, class, age or any other marker of difference. In Congresswoman Omar words, if you want a world where people’s differences aren’t marked, start treating them in that way. Afterall politics mirrors and reflects the country we live in, and while there has been immense progress, there is still some work to be done.