The Trump administration has launched a fresh investigation into Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s immigration history, revisiting allegations that federal authorities previously examined without finding sufficient evidence of wrongdoing, according to a report published Thursday by The Washington Post.
Federal agents reportedly searched Omar’s Washington, DC, residence on Monday as part of an inquiry into whether she or her late father provided inaccurate information in immigration documents submitted after the family arrived in the United States as refugees from Somalia.
The investigation is examining records connected to the family’s immigration status and subsequent acquisition of US citizenship.
Omar arrived in the United States with her family in 1995 at the age of 12, after they were granted asylum. She became an American citizen at 17.
According to the Post, immigration authorities conducted a similar review during Trump’s first presidential term after a political appointee sought evidence of possible irregularities in Omar’s immigration history.
That inquiry examined several issues, including her family’s refugee background, questions concerning her date of birth, her father’s previous military service in Somalia and allegations surrounding her marriage.
However, the earlier investigation did not establish sufficient grounds for action.
One former immigration official told the newspaper that investigators had found “insufficient evidence of wrongdoing.”
The latest inquiry could potentially result in criminal proceedings or an attempt to challenge Omar’s citizenship if investigators uncover evidence of immigration fraud, officials cited by the Post said.
No such finding has been announced.
Omar’s Office Accuses Administration of Political Retaliation
Omar, who has frequently criticised President Donald Trump, rejected the renewed investigation, describing it as an attempt to “target political enemies and weaponise federal law enforcement.”
Her spokesperson accused the administration of using federal investigative powers against a political opponent.
“Trump has spread lie after lie about the Congresswoman in a desperate attempt to justify his extraordinary abuse of power,” the spokesperson said Thursday.
“This is politically motivated and an escalation of Trump’s personal vendetta against her lasting over a decade,” the spokesperson added.
A former official familiar with the earlier investigation also expressed doubts about the justification for reopening the matter.
“I think her citizenship is solid and there wasn’t any fraud there,” the former official told The Washington Post.
Trump, meanwhile, denied personally directing the investigation when questioned by reporters this week.
“I think she’s a terrible person,” the president said. “But that’s really up to the DOJ (Justice Department). I have nothing to do with it.”
The renewed scrutiny comes seven years after the earlier federal review, with Omar’s citizenship once again under examination despite the previous finding that available evidence did not substantiate allegations of fraud.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the reported allegations have not been established in court.