Say what? Homeland Security gives ‘pause’ to Dem Rep’s call to help ‘our country of Somalia’

The Department of Homeland Security highlighted Maine state Rep. Deqa Dhalac (D), commenting on her goal of helping “our country of Somalia.”

A Somali refugee who came to America in 1992 when she married a Somali businessman in Atlanta, Dhalac’s remarks draw into question the concept of assimilation.

“How can the politics in Somalia resonate with what we have here in the United States, the democracy that we have?” Dhalac asked. “How can you help us be a better country and build back what we used to have a long time ago? So hopefully, we will be able to help our country, our former country, Somalia.”

DHS shared the clip, adding a one-word response: “Pause.”

Pause. https://t.co/4fOzTi1R1m

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 23, 2025

Dhalac became the first Somali-American to become mayor of an American city in 2021, being elected unanimously by the City Council as the mayor of South Portland.

Of course, Dhalac may have some company in advocating for Somalia.

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s loyalty to Somalia was a focus of concern based on a speech she gave in January 2024 in Minneapolis. Speaking in her native tongue, the Democrat was advocating for a unified Somalia while commenting on a deal between Ethiopia and Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland.

“While I am in Congress, no one will take Somalia’s sea,” read a translation that Omar retweeted.

She would later contest “slanted” translations of her remarks and attack critics for their “harassment and lies.”

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) responded to Dhalac’s remarks by reminding her, “You can represent Maine or Somalia, but not both.”

You can represent Maine or Somalia, but not both. https://t.co/eqX2wD7crv

— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) July 24, 2025

Here’s a sampling of other responses to the story, as seen on the social media platform X;

pic.twitter.com/F3lZwJngUT

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 23, 2025

Deport

— Congressman Randy Fine (@RepFine) July 24, 2025

Isn’t there something illegal about gaining office to act as an agent of another nation? What say you, @Ilhan?

— Philipsimo (@SteaderPhil) July 23, 2025

Don’t we have an oath to enforce? pic.twitter.com/iNk1hqBdsa

— Mark Smith – More Dad than You (@XtremelyDad) July 23, 2025

Move back to Somalia then. I’m so sick of this. Why live in America let alone run for office if you don’t want to be American

— Christina Pushaw (@ChristinaPushaw) July 23, 2025

Statements like this should result in immediate expulsion from any elected office.

Advocating for a foreign country should be ILLEGAL.

These people should not hold office in America.

— The Last True Roman (@LastTrueRoman) July 23, 2025

Assimilation is a myth.

Deqa Dhalac, Ilhan Omar, and Omar Fateh all refer to Somalia as their country and Somalis as their people.

They are supposed to represent their “fellow Americans,” yet the bonds to their heritage, native land and people are naturally stronger. https://t.co/td9tQbiQFG

— Adam Johnston (@ConquestTheory) July 24, 2025