An African nation is calling for the extradition of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) after Vice President JD Vance accused the lawmaker of committing immigration fraud. The call came from Somaliland, a partially recognized state in the Horn of Africa, following comments made by Vance in a podcast interview with conservative commentator Benny Johnson.
Vance’s Claim and Somaliland’s Response
In the interview, Vance stated that he had spoken with Stephen Miller, a White House immigration advisor, about potential legal action against Ilhan Omar. He claimed, “We think Ilhan Omar definitely committed immigration fraud against the United States of America.”
In response, Somaliland took to X (formerly Twitter) to support the idea of Omar’s extradition. Their post read:
“Deportation? Please, you’re just sending the princess back to her kingdom. Extradition? Say the word…”
Omar Denies Allegations
Ilhan Omar has consistently denied the accusations made by President Donald Trump and the White House, which suggest that she married her brother to gain entry into the U.S. In December 2025, Omar called the allegations “bigoted lies,” writing on social media that Trump was “obsessed with her.”
Omar further responded to the claims by saying, “He needs serious help. Since he has no economic policies to tout, he’s resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead.”
Her Chief of Staff, Connor McNutt, also spoke out, calling Vance’s claim a “ridiculous lie.” McNutt added, “This is a ridiculous lie and desperate attempt to distract from the pedophile protection party’s unpopular war of choice, increasing gas prices, and rapidly dropping polling numbers.”
Somaliland’s Political Stand
The call for extradition from Somaliland comes amid ongoing political tensions between Omar and Somaliland. Omar has opposed recognition of Somaliland as an independent nation, instead supporting Somalia’s territorial claims over the self-declared state.
Since 1991, Somaliland has operated as a self-governing territory, establishing its own democratic institutions and maintaining internal security. However, it has not been recognized as an independent country by most international bodies, including the United States.
In a significant move, Israel became the first U.N. member state to recognize Somaliland’s independence in 2025. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the establishment of full diplomatic relations with Somaliland, describing the action as aligned with the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations brokered by the U.S..
