Trump administration reopened citizenship probe into Rep Ilhan Omar: report

Current investigation focuses on documents submitted after Ilhan, family arrived in US as Somali refugees decades ago

The Trump administration has reopened an investigation into US Republican Ilhan Omar’s citizenship, seven years after federal officials examined similar allegations and found insufficient evidence of wrongdoing, The Washington Post reported on Thursday.

Federal agents searched the Minnesota Democrat’s Washington, DC, home on Monday as part of a renewed inquiry into whether Omar or her late father provided false information on immigration paperwork, according to the report.

The Trump administration’s investigation into Rep. Ilhan Omar is aimed at building a case to strip her of her U.S. citizenship and ultimately deport her, according to U.S. officials and other people familiar with the probe. https://t.co/JhyihvLHsd

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 15, 2026

The current investigation focuses on documents submitted after Omar and her family arrived in the US as Somali refugees decades ago, including paperwork used to obtain legal status and eventual citizenship.

Omar and her family were granted asylum when they came to the US in 1995, when she was 12 years old, and she became a citizen when she was 17.

Also Read: US launches immigration raid of Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar's home

During Trump’s first term, Homeland Security officials reviewed Omar’s immigration history after a political appointee sought evidence of possible fraud, the Post reported, citing former immigration officials.

Investigators examined her family’s refugee history, questions about her birthdate and her father's past military service in Somalia, along with longstanding allegations about her marriage.

A 2019 review by Trump administration immigration officials found insufficient evidence of wrongdoing by Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, including questions about her citizenship, birth date and her father's background.

The Trump administration has now reopened an investigation into… pic.twitter.com/siKCi2QenX

— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 16, 2026

The review concluded there was “insufficient evidence of wrongdoing,” one former official told the newspaper.

The renewed inquiry could lead to criminal charges or an attempt to challenge Omar’s citizenship if investigators obtain evidence of fraud, according to officials cited by the Post.

Omar’s team claims ‘abuse of power’

Omar, a frequent critic of Trump, rejected the investigation as an effort to “target political enemies and weaponise federal law enforcement.”

“Trump has spread lie after lie about the Congresswoman in a desperate attempt to justify his extraordinary abuse of power,” her spokesperson said on Thursday.

“This is politically motivated and an escalation of Trump’s personal vendetta against her lasting over a decade,” the spokesperson added.

One former official familiar with the earlier review questioned the basis for reviving the case. “I think her citizenship is solid and there wasn’t any fraud there,” the official told the Post.

Asked about Omar this week, Trump denied directing the investigation. “I think she’s a terrible person,” he told reporters. “But that’s really up to the DOJ (Justice Department). I have nothing to do with it.”

"I think she's a terrible person... I don't think she loves the country at all."

President Trump makes his feelings about Rep. Ilhan Omar unmistakably clear when asked about the home raid involving the congresswoman.

Despite the criticism, the president repeatedly insists he… pic.twitter.com/VDzfKa7y43

— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 13, 2026

Under standard policy, the Justice Department avoids taking any action that might be seen as influencing an election within 60 days of that election.

Omar is currently seeking reelection to Congress in the November 3 election, which is less than three weeks away.