US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who spent part of her childhood in a refugee camp in Kenya before moving to the United States, is under investigation over her family’s immigration documents.
Omar, who represents Minnesota in the US House of Representatives, could face questions about her citizenship if investigators establish that false information was provided during the immigration process. However, no wrongdoing has been established, and she has denied the allegations.
According to Reuters, federal agents searched Omar’s home in Washington on October 12 as part of the investigation.
Omar or people from her family are being questioned whether they gave false information while trying to enter the country or in the procedure which gave her citizenship.
It is mentioned in the search warrant that some possible charges could include conspiracy, making false statements in immigration forms and immigration fraud.
She was arrested along with her own cellphone, and the prosecutors issued many subpoenas, including some for her relatives.
If investigators prove that she received her citizenship illegally, then they may want to take away her citizenship. However, in order to do this, they need to go through a certain procedure, and their investigation does not mean anything yet.
Omar has rejected the allegations, describing the search as political intimidation and accusing President Donald Trump’s administration of targeting her.
Omar’s Journey From Somalia to US Politics
Omar fled Somalia with her family during the civil war and spent several years in a refugee camp in Kenya before moving to the United States in 1995, when she was 12.
She became a naturalised US citizen in 2000 and later entered politics, winning a seat in the US House of Representatives to represent Minnesota.
The investigation comes as the Trump administration continues to tighten immigration enforcement and review cases involving people accused of violating US immigration laws, including naturalised citizens.
In June 2026, the US also increased the number of Kenyans identified for possible detention and deportation over alleged immigration violations from 15 to 45, according to a report published by Kenyans.co.ke.
The individuals were reportedly classified by the US Department of Homeland Security as priority cases for removal because of their criminal records.
However, Omar’s case remains under investigation, and no finding of wrongdoing has been made against her.
