Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced that federal authorities are examining allegations related to Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar’s immigration history. The accusations revolve around a disputed claim that she married her brother to facilitate his entry into the United States.
During a conversation with conservative commentator Benny Johnson at the Republican National Convention, Mullin revealed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not only looking into Omar’s alleged past marriage but also broader questions about her family’s migration. “We know that she married her brother to try to bring him into the United States,” Mullin stated, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the investigation. He also mentioned potential illegal activities involved in the family’s initial migration to the U.S.
The allegations have circulated in conservative media and political circles for years but have never been proven in court. No federal agency has released findings that substantiate these claims, and Omar consistently denies any wrongdoing. Newsweek reached out to Omar’s office for comment, but DHS could not provide details on specific investigations. A spokesperson stated, “No one, including members of Congress, are above the law.”
This marks one of the most prominent public statements from a senior Trump administration official on Omar’s allegations. The issue resurfaces amid broader efforts by the administration to investigate potential immigration fraud cases. Mullin suggested that investigators are scrutinizing whether false information was provided during the immigration process. He added that such violations could still be actionable years after they occurred.
What Are the Allegations?
The central allegation involves Omar’s 2009 marriage to British citizen Ahmed Nur Said Elmi. Critics claimed Elmi was Omar’s biological brother and that the marriage served immigration-related purposes. Such a marriage would constitute immigration fraud.
The accusation attracted national attention in 2019 when former President Donald Trump and conservative organizations called for further investigation. Central to this dispute are questions about family relationships and discrepancies in public documents. However, no evidence supports the claims, and the couple divorced in 2017.
What Evidence Has Been Reported?
Several investigations have explored the claims. In 2019, the Star Tribune examined newly obtained records and communications related to Omar’s marital history, raising further questions about the timeline of her marriages and divorces. Nevertheless, there was no establishment of Elmi being her brother.
The New York Times also reviewed accusations, noting raised questions about Omar’s personal history, but found no evidence publicly demonstrating that Elmi was her sibling. Omar consistently labels the allegations as false and politically driven.
What Has DHS Said?
Mullin stated that investigators have reason to continue examining the case without taking enforcement action unless evidence supports wrongdoing. “If we actually move a case forward, it’s not a political case,” Mullin said. “It’s an actual case because they did things wrong.” He added that investigators are assessing broader irregularities in the family’s immigration history.
DHS does not comment on specific investigative techniques, ongoing investigations, or potential future actions. Mullin did not provide evidence supporting his claim that Omar married her brother.
What Has Omar Said?
Omar repeatedly denies Elmi is her brother and dismisses allegations of immigration fraud. She characterizes the claims as baseless attacks intended to distract from other administration activities, dubbing them “lies.”
What Happens Next
It remains uncertain whether federal investigators will pursue any civil or criminal case against Omar. While DHS indicates an investigation continues, no court has ruled against Omar for committing immigration fraud, nor has any government agency publicly confirmed that her former husband was her brother.