ICE detainees, however, are arrested and held separately from the general population at the Kandiyohi County Jail. They are detained for their immigration statuses and prior criminal offenses, including misdemeanors, even if those charges have been settled. Omar, for example, was convicted in 2006 for possession of the illegal stimulant khat and in 2016 for an insurance fraud scheme, which resulted in a misdemeanor charge and two years of probation.
After coming to the U.S. from Somalia–first to live in Michigan and then, in 2000, to live in Minnesota–Omar developed a musical career and became known locally by the performing name Omar Shooli. He built a fanbase singing playfully romantic songs in Somali; one of his music videos from 2014 has drawn 1.3 million views.
Via video phone, Omar said being deported to Somalia would put his life in danger because his music is decidedly libertine (one of his videos features a naked woman). He has been fighting deportation since ICE arrested him in June 2017. He’s won his case against deportation twice before immigration judges, only to have the federal government appeal each time.
“It’s a back-and-forth thing,” he said. “I’m exhausted.”
“It’s very scary”: ICE detainees express fear and anxiety as COVID-19 spreads in Minnesota — Sahan Journal
Five detainees, who spoke to the Sahan Journal via videophone from inside the jail, said social distancing is impossible.
sahanjournal.com
