From Newsweek · · 1m 40s
DHS opens a probe into Ilhan Omar's immigration history
A cabinet secretary says the case is live, while years of reporting have never proven the central claim.
In brief
A cabinet secretary says the case is live, while years of reporting have never proven the central claim. A senior official calling something an ongoing investigation is not the same as evidence, and after years of scrutiny none has been produced publicly. Originally reported by Newsweek.
DHS says a probe is open
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said federal authorities are examining Representative Ilhan Omar's immigration history and a long-disputed claim about her 2009 marriage.
“There may be more to this, the whole family migration and possibly some illegal activity.”
Said at a convention interview
Mullin made the comments to conservative commentator Benny Johnson at the Republican National Convention on Thursday, calling it an ongoing investigation.
“We know that she married her brother to try to bring him into the United States.”
The claim itself
Critics say Omar's husband, British citizen Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, was actually her biological brother, which would make the marriage immigration fraud. They divorced in 2017.
Nobody has proven it
The Star Tribune and The New York Times both dug into the records in 2019. Both raised questions about dates and documents, neither found evidence Elmi was her sibling.
No evidence was offered
Mullin produced no documents supporting his assertion and named no charges under consideration. DHS declined to discuss the investigation at all beyond one line.
“No one, including members of Congress, are above the law.”
Omar calls it a distraction
She has denied for years that Elmi is her brother, called the allegations lies, and says they are meant to pull attention from other administration activity.
What happens next
No court has ruled Omar committed fraud and no agency has released proof. Mullin said a case moves forward only if investigators can establish wrongdoing.
“If we actually move a case forward, it's not a political case.”
Here's the gist
A senior official calling something an ongoing investigation is not the same as evidence, and after years of scrutiny none has been produced publicly.
