Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is a prominent American politician, activist, and one of the most recognizable progressive voices in the United States Congress. Representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, which includes Minneapolis and its surrounding suburbs, since January 2019, Omar has broken multiple barriers in American politics.
She is the first African refugee elected to Congress, the first woman of color to represent Minnesota, and one of the first two Muslim-American women to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Born in Somalia, Ilhan Omar and her family fled the Somali Civil War when she was eight years old. They spent four years in a refugee camp in Kenya before resettling in the United States in the 1990s. In 1997, her family moved to Minneapolis, where she was inspired by her grandfather to become politically engaged.
Omar overcame significant challenges as a refugee and immigrant to build a distinguished career as a policy analyst, community organizer, public speaker, and advocate. Prior to Congress, she worked as a community educator at the University of Minnesota, served as a Policy Fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and was a Senior Policy Aide to the Minneapolis City Council.
Since taking office, Rep. Omar has emerged as a fierce advocate for working families, immigrants, education equity, and economic justice. She serves on the House Budget Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee.
She is the Deputy Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Vice Chair of the Medicare For All Caucus. Her legislative priorities include canceling student debt, raising the minimum wage, creating a fair immigration system, combating climate change, and expanding access to healthcare.
Official Links:
- Official Congressional Website: omar.house.gov
- Instagram: @ilhanmn
- X (Twitter): @IlhanMN
- Facebook: @IlhanMN
- YouTube: @rep.ilhanomar2703
