Federal investigators have reportedly obtained DNA evidence they hope could help substantiate longstanding allegations that Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) married her brother as part of an immigration fraud scheme, marking another development in the expanding investigation into the Minnesota Democrat.
According to an October 19 report by the New York Post, people familiar with the investigation said prosecutors are examining DNA evidence alongside government records and information provided by whistleblowers.
One person familiar with the investigation described the genetic evidence as potentially important to determining whether Omar’s former husband, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, is actually her biological brother.
The allegations date back more than a decade and concern Omar’s 2009 marriage to Elmi, a British citizen whom she divorced in 2017.
Investigators reportedly suspect the marriage may have been arranged to help Elmi obtain permanent residency in the United States.
However, the allegation that the two are siblings has never been publicly proven, and Omar has repeatedly denied it.
The new report does not disclose the results of any DNA testing or establish that genetic evidence has confirmed a familial relationship.
It also remains unclear when investigators obtained the DNA or whose biological samples were collected.
One person familiar with the case disputed earlier accounts suggesting federal agents had searched discarded trash to obtain biological evidence.
The reported development follows the October 12 search of Omar’s Washington, D.C., residence, during which Homeland Security Investigations agents removed boxes of materials.
According to the report, two people familiar with the investigation believe the search warrant, DNA evidence and other investigative findings could provide a basis for prosecutors to seek criminal charges involving conspiracy to commit immigration fraud.
The case is reportedly being examined by federal prosecutors in Minnesota, with potential grand jury proceedings involving allegations dating back several decades.
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani explained that conspiracy allegations could allow investigators to examine older conduct as part of a broader alleged scheme, although prosecutors would still need to satisfy applicable legal requirements and filing deadlines.
The investigation also involves questions surrounding Omar’s acquisition of American citizenship through her father’s naturalization in 2000.
Omar has maintained that she was 17 when her father became a citizen, allowing her to derive citizenship through him.
Investigators are reportedly reviewing whether discrepancies involving her recorded birth year could affect that account.
A separate federal inquiry is examining Omar’s financial disclosures, including discrepancies in reported assets associated with her household.
Washington, D.C., U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has publicly defended the search warrant, emphasizing that a judge found sufficient grounds to authorize the operation.
“If there was a crime committed, it will be prosecuted,” Pirro told Fox News.
Border official Tom Homan has also suggested that investigators have developed a strong case that could potentially lead the administration to pursue denaturalization.
However, such proceedings would require separate legal findings, and a criminal allegation involving marriage fraud would not automatically invalidate Omar’s citizenship.
Omar’s attorneys, Amy Jeffress and Joshua Matz, have challenged the investigation and demanded the return of property seized during the search.
They accused the Trump administration of targeting the congresswoman for political reasons and raised concerns about the execution of the search warrant shortly before the midterm elections.
The Justice Department rejected those accusations, maintaining that investigators complied with the relevant court orders and legal requirements.
Omar’s husband, political consultant Tim Mynett, has also publicly defended her immigration history, emphasizing that she arrived in the United States as a child refugee, per the New York Post.
An earlier examination of the alleged sibling marriage during Trump’s first administration reportedly failed to uncover sufficient evidence to substantiate the accusation.
Despite the new claims involving DNA evidence, prosecutors have not publicly released genetic test results or announced criminal charges against Omar.
Whether the evidence establishes any wrongdoing, supports an indictment or leads to proceedings affecting her citizenship remains unresolved.
