Federal prosecutors have identified Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar by a previously unreported name in a court filing tied to an ongoing immigration fraud investigation. The U.S. Department of Justice listed her as 'Ilhan Nur Said Elmi, a/k/a Ilhan Abdullahi Omar' in a sealed warrant filing obtained by Fox News on October 21, renewing attention to longstanding allegations about her first marriage and immigration records.
Federal agents executed a search warrant at Omar’s Washington, D.C., home on October 12, seizing two of her phones, her youngest daughter’s phone, and notebooks belonging to her husband, Tim Mynett. The raid is part of an investigation into possible fraud related to her family’s immigration paperwork, including claims that Omar’s late father, Nur Omar Mohamed, may have omitted information in his naturalization process. Omar has stated she obtained U.S. citizenship through her father, though no records of his naturalization have been publicly verified.
Prosecutors seek to keep warrant details sealed
A federal prosecutor, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, filed a motion on October 21 requesting that the search warrant remain under seal. Pirro argued in court documents that the government was not yet finished executing the warrant, which was first reported by Fox News. The motion does not explain why prosecutors used the alternate name or assert that Omar has committed any wrongdoing.
Omar denies marriage fraud allegations
In an October 21 interview with MSNBC’s All In with Chris Hayes, Omar was asked whether she believed her ex-husband, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, was her brother—a claim that has circulated for years. Omar replied, “Not to my knowledge.” She attributed the rumors to “right-wing conspiracy theorists in Minneapolis” and a Somali blog, calling the allegations “insane.” Omar married Elmi in 2009 and divorced him in 2017. The FBI has previously subpoenaed individuals connected to Omar as part of the investigation.
Omar’s immigration and citizenship claims
Omar has stated she arrived in the U.S. as a refugee in the mid-1990s after her family gained asylum. She obtained U.S. citizenship in 2000 at age 17, though some reports question whether she was eligible at that time. The investigation is examining whether her father’s immigration forms contained inaccuracies, including potential misstatements about her age. Omar has dismissed these claims as politically motivated, stating in a October 12 post on X (formerly Twitter) that the raid was “an attempt to target political enemies.”
Financial disclosures and public statements
During the October 21 interview, Omar described herself as “working class”, living “paycheck to paycheck”, and owning a 2016 Toyota Camry as her only vehicle. She also stated that she rents both her Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis residences. These remarks followed reports suggesting she and her husband are worth around $30 million, which Omar denied.
Legal and political context
The investigation has drawn comparisons to past allegations against Omar, including claims that she and Elmi married to facilitate his immigration status. Omar has previously called these claims “absurd and offensive”, first denying them in a 2016 interview with Minnesota Public Radio. The October 12 raid occurred amid broader scrutiny of her immigration history and political activities.
Federal prosecutors have not publicly confirmed whether DNA evidence will be used to address the marriage allegations, as reported by The New York Post. The case remains ongoing, with no charges filed against Omar as of the latest filings.