Ilhan Omar to Republicans Fearmongering About Refugees: Cry More
While Republican politicians use the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan to again fearmonger about refugees, Representative Ilhan Omar — the only former refugee in Congress — has a question for them: What are you so afraid of, being outshined?
On Tuesday, Omar joined The ReidOut With Joy Reid to comment on Republican backlash to the prospect of America welcoming refugees from Afghanistan. Thousands are fleeing the country amid the rapid takeover by the Taliban that has coincided with the U.S. withdrawal. While images of Afghans falling from the sky, chasing planes, and cramming into aircraft carriers flooded social media, demonstrating the desperation of a people under threat, Republican politicians and right-wing commentators chose to capitalize on the moment.
“The Biden regime owes us answers ASAP about how they will be vetting the refugee applicants from Afghanistan,” tweeted Colorado congresswoman Lauren Boebert, claiming Afghanistan is “a hotbed of terrorism.” Illinois congressman Tom Tiffany claimed Afghanistan “is a dangerous country that is home to many dangerous people,” suggesting that America send refugees first to other countries to be vetted before being allowed to enter the U.S.
Omar herself spent years in a refugee camp in Kenya after her family fled Somalia. She arrived in the United States as a middle schooler, and went on to become the first Black Muslim elected to Congress.
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/ilhan-omar-refugees-afghanistan
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