Rep. Ilhan Omar denies immigration fraud allegations after federal search
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Rep. Ilhan Omar said she did not marry her former husband to commit immigration fraud and denied any familial relationship, as federal investigators continue a criminal probe.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., told MS Now host Chris Hayes that she did not marry her former husband, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, to obtain immigration benefits and that she is not aware of any family connection between them. "Not to my knowledge," she said when asked about a rumored sibling relationship.
The comments came during Omar's first media appearance since Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a court-authorized search warrant at her Washington, D.C., residence on Oct. 12 as part of a federal criminal investigation into possible false statements on her immigration and naturalization paperwork. The Justice Department has not released details of the allegations.
A U.S. magistrate judge approved the warrant, and federal authorities have issued more than a dozen grand-jury subpoenas, including to members of Omar's family, and seized her cellphone. Omar's sister, Sahra Noor, reportedly spoke with investigators following the raid.
Omar characterized the probe as politically motivated and posted a video from a car, asking supporters to continue sending her money. A separate inquiry is examining her campaign finances and financial disclosures, an investigation that began in 2024 and was noted by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
Both investigations remain ongoing.