Ilhan Omar sprayed with unknown liquid at Minneapolis town hall; assault suspect arrested
At a north Minneapolis town hall on ICE operations, Rep. Ilhan Omar was sprayed with an unknown liquid delivered via a syringe; police arrested a man on suspicion of assault and a forensic team is testing the substance. Omar appeared unhurt, resumed speaking after being checked, and the spraying was a separate incident from an earlier man who rushed the stage but was stopped by security.
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đ Relevant Data
Nearly half of likely undocumented immigrant adults say they have avoided seeking medical care since January 2025 due to immigration-related fears associated with ICE operations. ([KFF](https://www.kff.org/quick-take/health-care-providers-warn-of-impacts-of-increased-ice-presence-at-health-care-facilities)) ([KFF](https://www.kff.org/quick-take/health-care-providers-warn-of-impacts-of-increased-ice-presence-at-health-care-facilities)) ([KFF](https://www.kff.org/quick-take/health-care-providers-warn-of-impacts-of-increased-ice-presence-at-health-care-facilities)) ([KFF](https://www.kff.org/quick-take/health-care-providers-warn-of-impacts-of-increased-ice-presence-at-health-care-facilities)) ([KFF](https://www.kff.org/quick-take/health-care-providers-warn-of-impacts-of-increased-ice-presence-at-health-care-facilities)) ([KFF](https://www.kff.org/quick-take/health-care-providers-warn-of-impacts-of-increased-ice-presence-at-health-care-facilities)) ([KFF](https://www.kff.org/quick-take/health-care-providers-warn-of-impacts-of-increased-ice-presence-at-health-care-facilities)) ([KFF](https://www.kff.org/quick-take/health-care-providers-warn-of-impacts-of-increased-ice-presence-at-health-care-facilities)) ([KFF](https://www.kff.org/quick-take/health-care-providers-warn-of-impacts-of-increased-ice-presence-at-health-care-facilities)) ([KFF](https://www.kff.org/quick-take/health-care-providers-warn-of-impacts-of-increased-ice-presence-at-health-care-facilities))
Health Care Providers Warn of Impacts of Increased ICE Presence at Health Care Facilities â KFF
ICE has made over 3,000 arrests during Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota as of January 19, 2026, focusing on criminal illegal aliens. ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000)) ([DHS](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/01/19/ice-continues-remove-worst-worst-minneapolis-streets-dhs-law-enforcement-marks-3000))
The undocumented immigrant population in Minnesota is estimated at 130,000 as of 2023, representing about 2.2% of the state population. ([Axios](https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/25/minnesota-unauthorized-immigrant-population-pew)) ([Axios](https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/25/minnesota-unauthorized-immigrant-population-pew)) ([Axios](https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/25/minnesota-unauthorized-immigrant-population-pew)) ([Axios](https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/25/minnesota-unauthorized-immigrant-population-pew)) ([Axios](https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/25/minnesota-unauthorized-immigrant-population-pew)) ([Axios](https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/25/minnesota-unauthorized-immigrant-population-pew)) ([Axios](https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/25/minnesota-unauthorized-immigrant-population-pew)) ([Axios](https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/25/minnesota-unauthorized-immigrant-population-pew)) ([Axios](https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/25/minnesota-unauthorized-immigrant-population-pew)) ([Axios](https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2025/08/25/minnesota-unauthorized-immigrant-population-pew))
Mapped: Minnesota's growing unauthorized immigrant population â Axios
Somali Minnesotans generate at least $500 million in income annually and pay about $67 million in state and local taxes. ([KSTP](https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/somali-minnesotans-drive-economic-growth-pay-67m-taxes-annually)) ([KSTP](https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/somali-minnesotans-drive-economic-growth-pay-67m-taxes-annually)) ([KSTP](https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/somali-minnesotans-drive-economic-growth-pay-67m-taxes-annually)) ([KSTP](https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/somali-minnesotans-drive-economic-growth-pay-67m-taxes-annually)) ([KSTP](https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/somali-minnesotans-drive-economic-growth-pay-67m-taxes-annually)) ([KSTP](https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/somali-minnesotans-drive-economic-growth-pay-67m-taxes-annually)) ([KSTP](https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/somali-minnesotans-drive-economic-growth-pay-67m-taxes-annually)) ([KSTP](https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/somali-minnesotans-drive-economic-growth-pay-67m-taxes-annually)) ([KSTP](https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/somali-minnesotans-drive-economic-growth-pay-67m-taxes-annually)) ([KSTP](https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/somali-minnesotans-drive-economic-growth-pay-67m-taxes-annually))
Somali Minnesotans drive economic growth, pay $67M taxes annually â KSTP
Venezuelan migration to the US has surged since 2010, with the population growing 318 percent between 2010 and 2023, driven by economic collapse and political instability in Venezuela. ([Migration Policy Institute](https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/venezuelan-immigrants-united-states)) ([Migration Policy Institute](https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/venezuelan-immigrants-united-states)) ([Migration Policy Institute](https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/venezuelan-immigrants-united-states)) ([Migration Policy Institute](https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/venezuelan-immigrants-united-states)) ([Migration Policy Institute](https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/venezuelan-immigrants-united-states)) ([Migration Policy Institute](https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/venezuelan-immigrants-united-states)) ([Migration Policy Institute](https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/venezuelan-immigrants-united-states)) ([Migration Policy Institute](https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/venezuelan-immigrants-united-states)) ([Migration Policy Institute](https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/venezuelan-immigrants-united-states)) ([Migration Policy Institute](https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/venezuelan-immigrants-united-states))
Venezuelan Immigrants in the United States â Migration Policy Institute
đ Key Facts
- At a north Minneapolis town hall, a man approached Rep. Ilhan Omar and sprayed an unknown liquid on her; FOX 9 reported the liquid was delivered via a syringe.
- Police took the man into custody and arrested him on suspicion of assault; as of Wednesday morning he had not yet been formally charged.
- A forensic team is actively testing the unknown liquid, which has not been publicly identified.
- Omar appeared uninjured after being checked and resumed the event.
- The spraying incident was distinct from an earlier episode at the same town hall in which a different man rushed the stage but was stopped by security and attendees before reaching Omar.
- After the attack, Omar continued speaking, called for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign and raised the possibility of impeachment, and later posted a statement saying she would not be intimidated.
đ° Source Timeline (5)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- FOX 9 specifies that Omar was sprayed with an unknown liquid delivered via syringe, not just a generic 'substance.'
- Police have arrested the man on suspicion of assault and a forensic team is actively testing the liquid; as of Wednesday morning he has not yet been formally charged.
- Omar resumed speaking after the attack, used the event to call for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign and raised the possibility of impeachment, then posted a public statement saying she would not be intimidated.
- The Minnesota Reformer report provides additional detail that a man rushed at Rep. Ilhan Omar during the north Minneapolis town hall; Omar appeared unhurt and the incident ended quickly.
- The article clarifies that the rushing incident was a separate act from the earlier spraying and physical altercation already reported.
- It reinforces that security and attendees were able to stop the man before he could reach Omar, underscoring both ongoing security concerns and the fact that no injuries were reported.
- Police say a man approached Rep. Ilhan Omar at a Minneapolis town hall and sprayed an unknown substance on her before being taken into custody.
- The substance has not yet been publicly identified; Omar appeared uninjured and continued the event after being checked.
- The spraying incident is now confirmed as distinct from the earlier episode in which a different man rushed the stage but was stopped by security.