The Problem With Iftin Abdi Nor Iftin’s Immigration Advice

[Deeq A.]

The writer of this article is an attorney in Minnesota

Iftin risks legal scrutiny over comments encouraging illegal entry into USA.

Minnesota (Opinion) — Many Somalis have been unnerved by what Abdi Nur Iftin told Fox News. Iftin recounted his experiences after arriving in the United States. Some people accuse him of exploiting the Feeding Our Future fraud scandal in Minnesota. They accuse him of granting interviews to “racist and MAGA platforms.” Some also take issue with his description of pre-1991 Somalia, where permissiveness, he says, was a dominant feature of social life before the takeover of the country by what Iftin calls “a Wahhabi sect from Saudi Arabia.”

Iftin urges Somalis in USA to integrate, but MAGA supporters use him as an example of assimilation. Assimilation is different from integration.

In one interview in Somali, Iftin warned Dr. Abdullahi Ali about the consequences of using money from a nonprofit organization for political campaigns. In 2024, Ali ran for the Jubaland presidency under “Fix the System” ticket. He was not successful. Gateway Community Services, a nonprofit agency founded by Dr. Ali, is under investigation for improper Medicaid (MaineCare) billing.

“Does he not understand the law? He could be in trouble with authorities. It is a crime to use money intended for a nonprofit organization for politics,” Iftin said.

Iftin is not against immigration or immigrants. He wants them to respect the law of the land when they settle in the United States. His critics dug up his past podcasts and interviews. In one interview, Iftin advises a Somali in Russia who wants to know how to immigrate to the United States of America.

“Iftin knows more about the USA than we do. I have a question: How can Somali students in Russia travel to the USA?” asked a young man whose face was concealed. Iftin responded: “To students in Russia, Belarus, Germany, and Poland, listen to me, my brothers. The USA and Russia share a border near Alaska. It is only three kilometers long. It is like the distance between KM4 and Waaberi District [in Mogadishu]. During the winter season, you can cross the border on foot, but it takes three to four days. If you have documents showing residence in Russia, you can come to Mexico and then jump over the border wall. Show U.S. authorities your documents and claim you were in fear of being conscripted and sent to the war in Ukraine. I think the USA will accept your claim,” Iftin counsels.

Iftin risks indictment for encouraging violations of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. He could be sent to jail. The point is to hold Iftin to the same standards of probity he holds for every Somali who has benefited from the generosity of the American government and people. An apology from Abdi Nor Iftin on this matter is long overdue.   

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