In a recent move to combat anti-Semitism, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that has significant implications for foreign students and individuals involved in pro-Palestinian protests. This order authorizes the deportation of international students who participate in demonstrations perceived as anti-Israel, aligning with the administration’s broader strategy to address campus activities deemed supportive of organizations like Hamas.The executive order, signed in late January 2025, directs federal agencies to identify and potentially revoke the visas of non-citizen students involved in such protests. The administration justifies this action by referencing immigration laws that permit deportation of non-citizens who “endorse or espouse” terrorist organizations, with Hamas being designated as such by the U.S. since 1997.
Critics argue that this policy conflates legitimate political expression with support for terrorism, potentially infringing upon free speech rights. Legal experts and civil rights groups warn that using immigration enforcement to suppress protected speech could be unconstitutional and may lead to overreach by law enforcement.
In response to the executive order, some university alumni groups have taken proactive measures. For instance, an alumni group from Columbia University has reportedly discussed efforts to identify students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, aiming to facilitate their deportation.
This development has sparked a broader debate about the balance between combating anti-Semitism and preserving free speech on college campuses. As the Justice Department moves to implement the executive order, educational institutions and civil rights advocates are closely monitoring its impact on student activism and international student communities across the nation.
A former campaign associate of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has pleaded guilty to participating in a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme, deepening the controversies surrounding the progressive lawmaker’s political network.Federal prosecutors revealed that 49-year-old Guhaad Hashi Said, who was described by Alpha News as an “enforcer” for Omar’s campaign, admitted to conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering.The charges stem from an extensive fraud operation that targeted a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic, exploiting funds intended to help underprivileged children.
However, investigators found that only a fraction of the claimed meals were actually provided. Said submitted fabricated meal count sheets, attendance rosters, and invoices to secure reimbursement for meals that were never served.The total amount of fraudulently claimed federal funds was approximately $2.9 million. Between August and December 2021, Said funneled more than $2.1 million from his nonprofit’s bank accounts to a catering business, ostensibly for food purchases.However, instead of using the money to feed children, Said used it to buy real estate, vehicles, and personal items through a network of shell nonprofits and LLCs. These illicit transactions allowed him to funnel federal money into his own pockets, enriching himself at the expense of taxpayer funds intended for children in need.Said’s guilty plea on charges of wire fraud and money laundering carries significant legal consequences. He faces up to 25 years in federal prison when sentenced.The case, which has drawn attention to fraudulent activities within Minnesota’s political and nonprofit sectors, also shines a light on the broader issue of how federal funds intended for vulnerable populations can be exploited by unscrupulous individuals.Though Rep. Ilhan Omar herself has not been implicated in the Feeding Our Future scandal, the conviction of a former associate continues to raise questions about the broader network surrounding her.
Said, who worked closely with Omar’s campaign in various capacities, has become the latest figure in a growing list of individuals with ties to the congresswoman who have faced legal or ethical scrutiny.In 2019, Omar’s state legislative campaign came under fire when the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board found that Omar had violated reporting requirements.
The board found that her campaign had improperly used funds for personal expenses, leading to an order for Omar to reimburse $3,469.23. While this violation was relatively minor in comparison to the current scandal, it added to the political controversies that have dogged Omar’s career.Recently, Omar has faced additional scrutiny over her foreign policy rhetoric and public statements. In early 2023, a video clip surfaced showing Omar speaking in Somali, which critics interpreted as prioritizing Somalia’s interests over those of the United States.House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) called for an ethics investigation, accusing Omar of anti-American rhetoric and urging her resignation. Emmer’s statement fueled a firestorm of controversy, especially after a translation of her remarks appeared to suggest that she would work to protect Somalia’s sea access from foreign encroachment, potentially at the expense of U.S. interests.Omar rejected the translation, asserting that it was inaccurate. In her version of the remarks, she stated that she would work to protect Somalia’s sea access while serving in Congress, emphasizing that the U.S. would not back others in taking control of Somali waters.Despite the controversy, Omar maintained that her comments were meant to express her commitment to advocating for Somali interests in the U.S. government while ensuring that foreign powers do not exploit Somali resources.The Feeding Our Future case has now become a symbol of the wider problem of fraud in federally funded programs, particularly those that were expanded to meet the needs of struggling communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.Minnesota’s child nutrition program, which is intended to provide meals to children from low-income families, became a target for individuals seeking to profit from the increased federal funding aimed at alleviating food insecurity during the pandemic.As of the latest reports, the scheme has ensnared dozens of individuals, many of whom have ties to the local Democratic establishment. Said’s involvement in this fraud has led to additional scrutiny of Minnesota’s political landscape, particularly regarding the state’s Democratic Party and its connections to various nonprofits.
This is not the first time Minnesota has been embroiled in a high-profile scandal involving nonprofit fraud, but the scale of the Feeding Our Future case has set it apart.The U.S. Attorney’s office continues to investigate individuals involved in the scheme, with new arrests and convictions likely in the coming months. Investigators have warned that the scope of the fraud is far-reaching, and the full extent of the damage is still being uncovered.With millions of dollars in taxpayer funds misused, the case serves as a cautionary tale about the vulnerability of federal programs to abuse.The guilty plea from Said has added a new layer of scrutiny to Omar’s political career. Although there is no indication that Omar directly benefited from the fraud scheme, her connection to Said and other individuals involved in the Feeding Our Future case places her under increasing political pressure.As a member of Congress, Omar’s associations and the actions of those within her orbit are subject to intense public and media scrutiny.Omar has consistently defended her record against accusations of corruption or impropriety. However, the Feeding Our Future case, along with other controversies surrounding her past comments and campaign violations, has placed her under a political microscope.While the congresswoman has not been directly implicated in any criminal activity related to Said’s actions, the growing list of controversies tied to her political network could impact her future in office, particularly as her critics continue to push for investigations and accountability.As for Omar’s response to the ongoing political pressure, she has rejected calls for her resignation, maintaining that she has always acted in the best interests of her constituents and the United States.