A Somali-American leader and Ramsey County sheriff civilian officer was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Friday afternoon and brought to Freeborn Adult Detention Center.

Omar Abdi Jamal, of Minneapolis, has lived in the U.S. for 20 years, according to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office. He joined the sheriff’s office as a civilian Community Service Officer in 2020.

“Omar Jamal has played an integral role in helping us liaison with the Somali community in Minnesota, which has the largest population of Somalis in the country,” Steve Linders, Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said in a statement. “He’s done a great job in that role.”

Jamal’s attorney said that a judge previously granted Jamal protection against deportation.

“Years ago, a U.S. immigration judge

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