Homeland Security officials are investigating longstanding allegations of immigration fraud involving Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., White House border czar Tom Homan confirmed Sunday.
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Homan said on Fox News’ “The Sunday Briefing” that Homeland Security Investigations is examining allegations involving Omar, but he declined to disclose details or say whether investigators have uncovered evidence of wrongdoing.
“I know things are going on, but I can’t give specifics of what’s happening,” Homan said.
Homan said allegations of marriage or immigration fraud should be investigated regardless of the position held by the person involved.
“If someone committed an immigration violation, if someone committed marriage fraud or anything like that, regardless if they’re a congressman or not, no one’s above the law,” Homan said. “We’ll let HSI, Homeland Security Investigations, continue the investigation.”
Pressed specifically on whether he was confirming an investigation, Homan said ICE was examining allegations that have circulated for years and “need to be looked at.” He declined to discuss whether denaturalization proceedings were being considered.
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Omar, who was born in Somalia and came to the United States as a refugee, became a U.S. citizen in 2000.
The Minnesota Democrat has faced years of allegations that her 2009 marriage to British citizen Ahmed Nur Said Elmi was part of an immigration scheme and that Elmi was her brother. Those allegations have not been established in court or proven through publicly released government records. Omar has repeatedly denied them, calling the claims false and offensive.
Homan said federal law allows the government to pursue denaturalization when officials can prove citizenship was obtained through fraud or material misrepresentation, but he did not say such proceedings have been initiated against Omar.
“Denaturalization is a process,” Homan said. “It’s a very serious process.”
The investigation comes as the Trump administration has increased scrutiny of alleged fraud in the immigration and naturalization systems.
No charges against Omar related to the allegations have been announced, and Homan’s confirmation of an investigation does not establish that she committed immigration or marriage fraud.
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