Now it is being reported that several Somali ‘refugee’ women have left Minneapolis and the ‘good life’ to join the Jihad in Syria. Hey Jamal, this woman does not sound like she has “limited opportunities.”
Minnesota Senator Al Franken is on the case!
From the Star Tribune (hat tip: John):
A 19-year old Somali woman from St. Paul left for Syria two weeks ago to aid fighters for a terrorist group, according to a family member with direct knowledge of her departure. Her disappearance marks the first time that family members have confirmed that a Somali-American woman has left the country to support terrorists in the Middle East.
The woman used a borrowed passport that her family believes was provided by a recruiter, according to a relative who spoke Wednesday to the Star Tribune on condition that his identity — and hers — be withheld. He said that the family found a copy of the passport used by the woman to leave the country, reportedly on Aug. 23. The next night, the family contacted the FBI and police to report her missing, and told authorities the identities of those they believe recruited her locally.
He said the FBI told the family that two other local women had also gone to Syria.
U.S. Sen. Al Franken said over the weekend that the FBI has told his office “in the nature of about a dozen” people from Minnesota have left the country to join the terror group operating in Syria.
Franken talking tough in election year?
Franken on Wednesday asked the Justice Department to commit resources to address the threat by Americans, including Minnesotans, who have traveled to the Middle East to fight with ISIL.
In the letter, Franken also said that he was “troubled” by President Obama’s recent statement that his administration had not yet put together a comprehensive strategy to address the growing threat posed by ISIL.
“We must act diligently and responsibly to prevent Americans from taking up arms with ISIL, or from re-entering our country if they do. This requires that the Justice Department use all relevant legal authorities and all appropriate resources at its disposal,” the letter said.
2008 Franken v. Coleman campaign
This is so funny to me because six years ago, then Senator Norm Coleman and challenger Franken were falling all over themselves courting the Somali vote (amid swirling allegations of voter fraud).
I distinctly remember Coleman, at the time, putting pressure on the State Department to re-open the fraud-ridden family reunification program for Somalis which the State Dept. had halted with the discovery of the lies Somalis told on resettlement paperwork.
All of our coverage in 2008 of their kissing-up to Somalis campaign is archived here.
By the way, when we attended a 2009 Senate Homeland Security hearing on the earlier departure of Minnesota Somalis to join Al Shabaab, neither Coleman or Franken attended (locked in a recount where some believe the Somali vote cheered on by Rep. Keith Ellison was pivotal in Franken’s victory). The other Senator from Minnesota, Amy Klobucher, did not attend either although she had constituents testifying.
Why so many Somalis in Minneapolis? Click here.
More are coming all the time…. next! Here!