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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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Ilhan Omar is under increased scrutiny after video footage on Monday appeared to show federal agents outside the Democratic Representative's Washington, D.C. residence. Fox News and Associated Press are reporting that agents searched her home as part of a criminal investigation.
The developments will again draw attention to the Minnesota congresswoman who has long faced criticism and attacks from political rivals - including calls for her to be deported.
Vance Criticism of Omar in March 2026
The Trump administration believes Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota "definitely committed immigration fraud against the United States of America," Vice President JD Vance said in a podcast interview in March.
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"She has been at the center of a lot of the worst fraudsters at the center of the Somali community," Vance said on Benny Johnson’s podcast.
Omar’s office pushed back on the allegations, and no evidence of immigration fraud has been publicly presented.
Connor McNutt, Omar’s chief of staff, dismissed the claim in a statement shared with Newsweek, calling it “a ridiculous lie” and “a desperate attempt to distract” from political issues. Omar has not been charged with any immigration-related offense and there is no indication of an active federal case alleging fraud.
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Why It Matters
Under federal law, naturalized citizens can, in rare cases, lose their citizenship through a legal process known as denaturalization. This can occur if the government proves that citizenship was obtained through willful misrepresentation or concealment of material facts, commonly referred to as immigration fraud. If a court revokes citizenship on those grounds, the person could become subject to removal proceedings. However, this requires a formal investigation, the filing of a civil case by the Department of Justice and a judicial ruling. The burden of proof is high, and such cases are relatively uncommon.
What To Know
Omar arrived in the United States as a refugee fleeing the Somali civil war in 1995 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2000. As a naturalized U.S. citizen, she cannot be deported unless her citizenship is revoked through a formal court process proving it was obtained through fraud.
The Republic of Somaliland responded on social media to Vance’s remarks by addressing the idea of deportation and indicating a willingness to receive Omar if requested.
Vance said on Johnson's podcast that he has discussed possible legal action involving Omar with White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller.
Tom Homan, President Donald Trump’s border czar, told Newsmax in December that the administration is investigating Omar for alleged immigration fraud.
Omar has frequently clashed with Trump and his administration, at times squaring off against the president and going toe to toe with the White House over policy and rhetoric, including in response to claims promoted by Trump that she allegedly married her brother, an allegation that has been widely debunked and repeatedly denied by Omar.
Omar has also been a frequent target of criticism tied to her heritage, Muslim faith and political positions. She is one of the original members of “the Squad,” a group of progressive House Democrats known for clashing with Trump and members of his administration.
What Happens Next
There is no public record of any denaturalization proceedings or criminal charges against Omar related to immigration fraud. Without such legal action, she remains a U.S. citizen and a sitting member of Congress.
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