Omar denies immigration fraud allegations amid federal investigation

Ilhan Omar has denied allegations that she married her former husband, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, to commit immigration fraud, calling the claims a conspiracy theory. The accusations have resurfaced amid a federal investigation that included a search of her Washington home, bringing renewed attention to her personal history and the political dispute around the probe.

In a television interview, Omar said the allegation began on a Somali blog and was later promoted by conservative activists; she said she did not know the people cited as witnesses. Asked whether Elmi could have been her brother, she replied, “Not to my knowledge.” The article says there is no established evidence that he was her brother. Omar said about 15 to 25 federal agents arrived at 6am and searched her home for four to five hours, taking phones, computers and other belongings.