DHS Reportedly Investigating Rep. Ilhan Omar for Immigration Fraud — Allegations, Timeline, and What We Know So Far
December 2025 — The controversy surrounding Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has resurfaced after former Acting ICE Director Tom Homan claimed that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is actively reviewing Omar’s immigration history in connection with longstanding allegations of immigration fraud.
“We’re pulling the records. I’m running it down this week,” Homan stated during a recent interview, sending shockwaves through both political and media circles.
Homan also emphasized that one of the most experienced fraud investigators within HSI had personally reviewed Omar’s file and expressed confidence that immigration fraud had occurred. While these claims have reignited debate, no formal charges have been filed against Omar to date.
This article breaks down the history, legal questions, evidence, and political implications surrounding the story.
 The Allegations: A Marriage of Convenience?
At the center of the accusations is a claim that Ilhan Omar married her biological brother, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, to fraudulently help him gain entry into the United States or remain here legally.
This allegation first emerged in 2016, when Omar was campaigning for Minnesota’s state legislature. While the claims have long been disputed — and often dismissed as conspiracy — Tom Homan’s recent statement adds new weight to the issue, particularly because he claims the investigation is now being handled internally by DHS.
According to Somali-American community member Abdihakim Osman, a friend of Omar’s first and third husband Ahmed Hirsi, Omar allegedly said:
“She would do what she had to do to get papers for her brother.”
Osman also claimed that within Minneapolis’ Somali community, it was widely known that Elmi was Omar’s brother and that the 2009 marriage was a means to help him obtain legal status or attend school in the U.S.
“It was a well-known scam,” Osman said to the UK’s Daily Mail. “She told us she needed to get papers for her brother to go to school.”
Osman also pointed out that the wedding was officiated by a Christian minister, despite both Omar and Elmi being Muslim — a fact he says raised eyebrows in their tight-knit religious community.
Omar’s Marriage Timeline
Omar’s complicated marital history has become central to both the allegations and defense:
2002: At age 19, Omar entered into a religious marriage with Ahmed Hirsi, with whom she had two children.
2008: Omar and Hirsi separated.
2009: She legally married Ahmed Elmi in Hennepin County, Minnesota — Elmi is the man alleged to be her brother.
2011: She separated from Elmi and reconciled with Hirsi.
2012: Omar and Hirsi had a third child together.
2017: Omar filed for legal divorce from Elmi, six years after separating.
2018: She legally married Hirsi.
2019: Omar and Hirsi legally divorced.
2020: Omar married Tim Mynett, a political consultant.
While this timeline is publicly documented, critics argue that Omar’s simultaneous living arrangements and tax filings raise questions about legal integrity.
For example, court documents show Omar filed joint tax returns with Hirsi while still legally married to Elmi — a potential violation of federal tax laws, although the IRS has not publicly addressed the matter.
Is There Any DNA Evidence?
Despite years of speculation, no DNA evidence has been presented that confirms or denies whether Elmi is Omar’s biological sibling.
A 2019 investigation by the Minneapolis Star Tribune stated:
“We could neither conclusively confirm nor rebut the allegation that Elmi is Omar’s sibling.”
Independent fact-checkers like Snopes, FactCheck.org, and PolitiFact have rated the claim as “unproven” rather than false, largely due to lack of hard evidence.
Tom Homan’s Statement: A Turning Point?
Tom Homan, a former top immigration official and now a prominent figure in conservative media, said:
“I just got advised by a fraud investigator the other day on that very issue. I know the investigator personally — one of the best HSI has ever had. He reviewed the file, and there’s no doubt immigration fraud was involved.”
This statement, coupled with his assertion that he is personally “running down” the records this week, suggests the matter is being treated seriously — even if no indictment or criminal referral has yet occurred.
Homan’s comments have energized conservative activists and media outlets, who argue that Omar has been shielded from scrutiny due to her political identity and affiliations.
Omar’s Response
Rep. Omar has repeatedly and categorically denied the allegations, calling them:
“Absurd and offensive”
“Rooted in racism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia”
In 2016, she released a public statement addressing her marital history, though she did not directly address the claim that Elmi is her brother.
“I’ve shared all relevant details of my personal life,” she said. “These are baseless smears designed to discredit me as a public servant.”
She also points to the lack of formal charges, despite repeated calls for investigation from political opponents, as proof of her innocence.
Political Fallout and Public Reaction
This renewed spotlight comes at a politically sensitive time, as Omar prepares for what could be a tough re-election battle. Critics have seized on the allegations to question her integrity, while supporters see the renewed probe as a targeted political attack.
Social media remains sharply divided:
#InvestigateOmar and #ImmigrationFraud are trending on right-leaning platforms.
On the left, hashtags like #SmearCampaign and #HandsOffIlhan push back against the narrative.
Polling data suggests that a majority of Republican voters believe Omar engaged in immigration fraud, while Democratic voters overwhelmingly see the story as politically motivated.
Legal Experts Weigh In
Legal analysts note that proving immigration fraud requires clear evidence that a marriage was entered into solely for the purpose of gaining immigration benefits, and that the individuals involved knew it to be fraudulent.
That bar is high, especially without:
Direct witness testimony under oath
DNA testing
Documentary evidence explicitly tying intent to the marriage
So far, none of these have emerged publicly.
However, deleted social media posts, conflicting timelines, and statements from community insiders may warrant further inquiry, according to immigration law professionals.
What Happens Next?
If Homan’s statements are accurate, and DHS/HSI is actively reviewing records, several outcomes are possible:
No action — If investigators find no conclusive evidence, the matter may be closed quietly.
Referral to DOJ — If fraud is strongly suspected, charges could be recommended to the Justice Department.
Congressional hearings — Lawmakers may call for oversight or public testimony.
Political ramifications — Even absent criminal charges, the political cost to Omar’s reputation could be significant.
Conclusion: A Story With National Implications
The renewed interest in Ilhan Omar’s marriage history isn’t just a personal or legal matter. It reflects broader tensions in American politics over:
Immigration policy
Identity politics
Trust in elected officials
Media bias and selective accountability
Whether or not the DHS investigation leads to criminal charges, the court of public opinion is already in session.
As one legal analyst put it:
“This is either a political witch hunt — or the biggest immigration scandal ever to reach Congress. Either way, the stakes are high.”
The next few weeks could be critical in determining whether Rep. Omar faces deeper legal scrutiny — or whether the case once again fades into the fog of Washington controversy.
Legal Experts Weigh In
What Happens Next?
Conclusion: A Story With National Implications
