President Donald Trump ignited a political firestorm by calling for the removal of Democratic Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, saying they should be 'institutionalized' and sent back to their countries of origin. The Muslim lawmakers, both U.S. citizens, had shouted 'you're killing Americans' during Trump's State of the Union address while he touted his administration's immigration enforcement actions.

Trump's comments came amid heightened tensions over ICE operations in Minnesota, where federal agents have been deployed following fraud allegations. At least eight people have died in ICE detention centers since January 2026, with rights groups criticizing the crackdown for creating a climate of fear. The administration has used isolated fraud cases to justify targeting immigrant communities, including Somali populations in Minnesota.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned Trump's rhetoric as 'xenophobic' and 'disgraceful,' while the Council on American-Islamic Relations labeled the remarks racist. The controversy highlights the deepening partisan divide over immigration policy and the treatment of Muslim lawmakers in Congress. Trump's immigration enforcement actions continue to draw scrutiny following fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minnesota earlier this year.