Focus of the probe: Omar's immigration history
The investigation concerns circumstances related to Omar's immigration status, including, but not limited to, her date of birth. Omar was born in Somalia and arrived in the United States with her family in the 1990s. She received American citizenship at age 17, while still a minor, through a process made possible by one of her parents.
As we reported, the primary suspicion at present is that Omar was in fact 18 years old, an adult, and therefore not eligible for citizenship under the law she relied upon.
It is unclear at this stage what concrete evidence is at the center of the suspicions or whether the investigation will lead to prosecution. The report noted that the standard statute of limitations for federal criminal offenses is typically five years, but investigators may also examine later actions by Omar or her family members if they are relevant to the investigation.
Omar: "Attempt to target political enemies"
Omar responded to the developments in a statement released Monday, in which she rejected the proceedings against her and claimed they represent an attempt to weaponize law enforcement for political purposes.
"Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement as a political tool," she wrote. She added that President Donald Trump has been targeting her for a decade through false claims and smear campaigns, and that the recent steps are a further escalation in what she called a political intimidation campaign.
A spokesperson for her did not respond to NBC News's request for additional comment, and the US Department of Justice declined to address details of the investigation.
Trump: "The government is examining her very carefully"
The affair is unfolding against the backdrop of a prolonged confrontation between Trump and Omar, who belongs to the progressive group of congresswomen known as "the Squad." The president has repeatedly attacked her over her political positions and statements, as well as in the context of his broader criticism of immigrants from Somalia.
On Monday, Trump was asked whether he knew in advance about the search of her home. In his response, he said the federal government is examining Omar "very carefully," and repeated his criticism of her. Later that evening, at a Republican rally in Ohio, he attacked her again and referenced her Somali origin and her statements about her constitutional rights.
Homeland Security Secretary Marquayne Mullin also hinted last month that authorities may take action in the matter, but emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing. According to him, if a decision is made to advance a legal case, it would be based on suspected offenses and not a political case. Mullin claimed that anyone who provided false information in the process of entering the United States could face legal accountability.
