The Trump administration is reportedly seeking to build a case to revoke Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN) U.S. citizenship and ultimately deport her, according to a new report detailing an expanding federal investigation into the Minnesota congresswoman.
The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that federal investigators are examining Omar’s immigration history, including whether she or her late father provided false information while obtaining legal status and citizenship decades ago.
The investigation could potentially result in the loss of Omar’s citizenship if authorities establish that it was unlawfully obtained.
Omar, who was born in Somalia, arrived in the U.S. in 1995 after her family spent time at a refugee camp in Kenya. She became a U.S. citizen in 2000.
Investigators are reportedly examining whether Omar or her father, Nur Omar Mohamed, misrepresented her age on immigration paperwork, potentially allowing her to obtain citizenship automatically through her father’s naturalization before turning 18.
Authorities are also reviewing questions surrounding her father’s immigration history, including information submitted during his application process.
The investigation escalated Monday when federal agents searched Omar’s Washington, D.C., residence under a court-authorized warrant.
Agents seized several personal belongings, including electronic devices and her cellphone, as part of the investigation.
Federal authorities have also issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including subpoenas involving members of Omar’s family, according to The Associated Press.
A grand jury in Minnesota is examining evidence related to possible fraud involving the congresswoman’s immigration records.
The investigation reportedly extends beyond immigration matters.
Federal authorities are separately examining Omar’s financial disclosures, including questions surrounding the reported value of assets associated with her and her husband.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has acknowledged that multiple investigations involving Omar are underway.
The immigration allegations are not new.
Similar claims involving Omar’s citizenship history were previously examined during the Biden administration, but officials ultimately declined to pursue an investigation based on the information available at the time, according to The Washington Post.
The Trump administration has since renewed scrutiny of those allegations.
Omar has repeatedly denied committing immigration fraud and maintains that her citizenship was lawfully obtained.
The congresswoman has also accused President Donald Trump of using federal law enforcement to intimidate political opponents.
Following Monday’s search, Omar condemned the investigation and said she would not be silenced.
The timing has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers because the search occurred approximately three weeks before the November midterm elections, when Omar is seeking reelection.
The Justice Department has traditionally discouraged overt investigative actions involving political candidates shortly before elections, although that practice is not an absolute legal prohibition.
President Trump has denied personally directing the search of Omar’s residence, per the Wall Street Journal.
Revoking citizenship would require federal authorities to establish legally sufficient grounds for denaturalization through judicial proceedings.
A citizenship investigation alone does not establish wrongdoing, and Omar has not been stripped of her citizenship or ordered deported.
The Justice Department would need to demonstrate that a qualifying misrepresentation or other unlawful conduct affected the acquisition of citizenship.
As of Wednesday, authorities had not publicly announced a denaturalization lawsuit against Omar.
The investigation remains ongoing, with federal authorities continuing to examine records and gather evidence concerning her family’s immigration history.
