Overview:
Ikra Mohamed reflects on her family's journey to Colorado, the impact of anti-immigrant rhetoric and why sharing immigrant stories matters.
For many Somali families, the path to Colorado began far from the Front Range, shaped by war, displacement and years spent rebuilding life in unfamiliar places. For Ikra Mohamed, that history starts with her parents fleeing Somalia during the collapse of the government in 1991, living as refugees in Kenya, and eventually resettling in the United States, first in the Midwest, then finally in Colorado, where her family found a sense of belonging that allowed them to put down roots.
Growing up as a second-generation Somali American, Mohamed has inherited both the sacrifices that made her life here possible and the complicated reality of navigating identity in a country that doesn’t always know how to see her. While her parents faced language barriers and cultural isolation, Mohamed describes a different set of challenges: being deeply connected to a homeland she has never lived in, while still encountering racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia in the place she calls home.
In this week’s 5 Questions, Mohamed reflects on her family’s immigration journey, the resilience of Colorado’s Somali community and the real harm caused by political rhetoric that targets immigrants. Mohamed also explains why sharing her story is important in this political moment.
You come from a family of Somali immigrants. What was their immigration journey like and how did you all end up in Colorado?
My family’s journey began when the Somali government collapsed, and civil war broke out. They fled to Kenya in 1991, where they lived as refugees before being sponsored to come to America in 1996. Their first stop was Milwaukee, then Minnesota, where my mother worked at the airport. She later visited a cousin who lived in Colorado, immediately felt connected to the state, and eventually decided to move here permanently. That is how our family ended up building a life in Colorado.
What has life been like here since they settled, and how has it changed for you as a second-generation Somali American?
In the beginning, life was challenging. There were language, cultural and religious barriers that made everyday life difficult for my parents. Over time, they learned to navigate the system, worked incredibly hard and built stability not just for themselves but for their children.
As a second-generation Somali American, my experience has been different but still complex. We often feel caught in the middle—connected to a homeland we’ve never truly known, while also not fully seen as “from” America. Being born here gives us certain advantages compared to our parents, but we still experience racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia. Even with those challenges, we continue to create our own identity and place within this country.
President Donald Trump recently made disparaging comments about the Somali community. Do you worry about the consequences of this rhetoric, and what would you like him to know about Somali immigrants?
Yes, I absolutely worry about the consequences. Most Somalis are law-abiding citizens who work extremely hard to provide for their families and give back to their communities. When leaders use harmful rhetoric, it can trigger trauma for people who fled war, violence and persecution. Being targeted or detained simply because of your physical features or heritage is deeply painful and unjust.
I want him to know that Somali people are just like anyone else—we have ups and downs, strengths and flaws, just like all Americans. We have greatly assimilated into American culture, and our community includes doctors, teachers, government officials, police officers, entrepreneurs and more. Roughly 98% of Somalis here are citizens. We will not be intimidated or diminished by rhetoric meant to undermine our humanity.
How has our community stepped up to make your family feel welcome, and what more could it do to help you have a good life here?
The Colorado community has shown respect for Somali immigrants and acknowledged the important role Somalis play in the state. Right now, what matters most is for the broader community to continue showing up—to support Somali families, attend community events, stand against harmful rhetoric and recognize the contributions Somalis make across many fields.
Why is it important for you to share your family’s story?
It’s important for me to share my family’s story so people can understand the sacrifices, challenges and resilience behind our journey. Leaving your homeland is never easy, and my family did it in pursuit of safety, opportunity and the chance to live the American dream that people have spoken about for generations. Sharing these stories creates understanding, combats stereotypes and reminds others that immigrants—like my family—are part of the fabric of this nation.