Ilhan Omar Quotes

Who is anyone to say who doesn't deserve to come to this country? I'm a mutt, we're all mutts. Immigrants from whatever country are humans, we have to help each other.

In Psalm 72, Solomon prays for power and fame but he says the purpose of influence is to speak up for others and one is the immigrant. He doesn't delineate between legal and illegal.

I wanted to help the world be more just.

Nineteen centuries would have been worth very little if we had not made some advance in welcoming the stranger, in feeding the hungry, in clothing the naked, and in caring for the prisoner.

All of us, as humans, as Americans, as people who are lucky enough to be a part of this country's ideals, should care about our neighbors seeking refuge.

My commitment to refugees comes from a very personal place.

My faith motivates me to really try to work on behalf of and advocate for those who are least able to advocate for themselves.

I am passionate about human rights.

My message to everyone: the next time you hear about migrant children near the border, just picture them as your own. Then think what you would want our government to do.

When we see people that are impoverished and people who are dealt an unfair hand, then if we have the power to help them, we should try to do that.

For some reason, I have always been interested in the stories of people who are exiled and who are deprived of rights. My main motive to make a film is to keep the society in mind and the hospitality adhered.

Human dignity is independent of national borders. We must always defend the interests of the poor and the persecuted in other countries.

We're a migrant nation made up of people who've been torn out of other worlds, and you'd think we would have some compassion.

I've worked with a lot of gay and lesbian organizations. I sit on the board of the Empire State Pride Agenda. I've also done a lot of work for Broadway Care/Equity Fights AIDS. I think it's important because, when we can be of service to others, it only enhances our lives. I've been helped a lot in my life.

Shall we refuse to the unhappy fugitives from distress that hospitality which the savages of the wilderness extended to our fathers arriving in this land? Shall oppressed humanity find no asylum on this globe? …. might not the general character and capabilities of a citizen be safely communicated to everyone manifesting a bona fide purpose of embarking his life and fortunes permanently with us.

We must not only preach the doctrine of human rights, we must learn how actually to be our brother’s keeper.

Like all Americans, Arkansans hurt for the Syrian refugees. The hardships they face are beyond most of our understanding, and my thoughts and prayers are with them, but I will not support a policy that poses real risk to Americans.

All religions teach the same basic thing, that you have to stand up for those that are considered the worst.

We have a moral obligation to assist those fleeing religious persecution and to no longer turn a blind eye to the plight of our Christian brothers abroad.

Refugees come to us seeking asylum, seeking freedom, justice and dignity - seeking a chance just to breathe. And people in our country are saying close the doors and don't let them in?

We can either be governed by fear - fear of immigrants, fear of Muslims, call the press the enemy of the people, tear kids away from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border - or we can be governed by our ambitions and our aspirations and our desire to make the most out of all of us. And that's America at its best.

We are a continent of refugees, and if you say we can't integrate refugees, that's not consistent with our values, even if borders cannot be wide open.

We have to speak up for those who can't do it for themselves.

I don't think I necessarily try to help women; I just try to help people.

My mom has always taught me to stand up for people who don't have a voice.