Trump Administration Pursues Citizenship Revocation for Rep. Ilhan Omar

The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly investigating U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar with the aim of revoking her citizenship and deporting her from the country. Omar, one of the most anti-Israel lawmakers in Congress, has been a frequent target of former President Donald Trump and Republicans. The federal investigation reportedly focuses on allegations that Omar or her late father, Nur Omar Mohamed, provided false information about her age during her naturalization process over 25 years ago. Specifically, investigators are examining whether Omar's age was misrepresented as 17 instead of 18 on her citizenship application, a detail that could have allowed her to automatically gain citizenship through her father's application.

Federal agents reportedly searched Omar's home in Washington D.C. on Monday, confiscating her phone, notebooks, computers, and passport, just three weeks before the midterm elections in which she is seeking re-election. The Department of Justice confirmed a court-approved search was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations but declined to provide further details. The investigation also involves subpoenas issued to several of Omar's relatives to testify before a grand jury in Minnesota.

U.S. law requires the Justice Department to file a lawsuit in federal court to revoke citizenship, proving that the individual provided materially false information to obtain it. Former Justice Department official Leon Fresco noted that the success of such a case hinges on proving Omar herself knowingly lied about her age, not just that her father did. This investigation is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to revoke the citizenship of naturalized Americans, with over 200 such lawsuits filed during his tenure, a significant increase from previous administrations.

Omar, 44, has consistently denied allegations of immigration fraud, stating in an interview with The Wall Street Journal earlier this year that she never committed such a crime. Her office released a statement calling the investigation baseless and suggesting it was politically motivated by President Trump. Separately, Federal Prosecutor Janine Pirro stated that her office is also examining Omar's financial disclosures, with potential criminal charges if wrongdoing is found. Omar, who immigrated from Somalia in 1995, has been a vocal critic of Israel and a supporter of the Palestinians throughout her congressional career.