Quotes from Ilhan Omar

American hate is not new - and it is not scarce.

I try not to think of my life in terms of separation.

I'm not easily scared; from the age of 8, I learned what it means to have everything you know taken away and what it means to persevere. I approach politics the same way.

Many in the Somali community are excited to vote and support candidates who have shown an ability to lead with integrity and not use props and gatekeepers to get their votes.

We have people who will take votes that they can't defend. They'll say they stand for a policy, but when it comes to vote for it, they won't take the vote.

I believe women and minorities often wait for permission to be invited to something; we need to stop doing that.

Some suggest that, as a woman, I meddle in political affairs and need to be 'put in my place.'

I talk all the time about the eight-year-old me and all the eight-year-olds who are living in their camps.

I find hope in knowing that I belong to a state that has a lot of people who are champions of change and progress; that we will rise up and fight for justice and equality; that, ultimately, love will trump hate.

No Minnesotan should ever experience preventable health risks from breathing polluted air or from drinking unsafe water.

As an immigrant, I truly believed when I was coming to this country that people had the tools necessary to life to live a life that is prosperous, that is just and free. So, every single day, I am shocked with the hypocrisy of this country. That we are the wealthiest nation in the world. But we cannot figure out how to house our homeless people.

There are a few things that we can do. One of them is that we can increase the taxes that people are paying who are the extremely wealthy in our communities. So, 70 percent, 80 percent, we've had it as high as 90 percent.

Our immigration policy should be based in compassion and a desire to help the other.

We know that when people are civically engaged, when they understand what their rights are, when they understand that in a democracy you can challenge governments, you can challenge policymakers, and you can... actually shape and form future policy, I think it changes the perception that a lot of young people have about where power is.

I am committed to growing participation in the political process and doing it the right way.

In just my own neighborhood, you can't go one block without seeing a sign that says, you know, 'Everyone's welcome here,' 'Refugees are welcome here.' I love my Muslim neighbors, and so there is truly this spirit of generosity and compassion and openness that still exists.

Here in Minnesota, we don't only welcome immigrants; we send them to Washington.

I think we forget that, for a really long time, this country has been a place that has welcomed many refugees who have made it home and have tremendously contributed to this country.

We can walk and chew gum at the same time. Yes, the American people want us to legislate, they want us to insist on furthering their set of values, but they also want us to resist and exercise our oversight powers.

When people were selling the politics of fear and division and destruction, we were talking about hope. We were talking about the politics of joy.

When I was coming to this country, I heard about its promises.

I am proof that, as Americans, we can embrace our differences.

My kids are part of the rest of my community and my wider family.

Truly, this is a nation that sees itself as one that instills hope and is really about allowing people to pursue their dreams.