Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced that federal authorities are scrutinizing allegations related to Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar’s immigration history. The inquiry includes a disputed claim that she married her brother to facilitate his entry into the United States.

Speaking at the Republican National Convention with conservative commentator Benny Johnson, Mullin stated the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is evaluating Omar’s alleged past marriage alongside broader immigration concerns. “We know that she married her brother to try to bring him into the United States,” Mullin claimed. “There may be more to this, the whole family migration and possibly some illegal activity for them to come to the United States to begin with.” Mullin described the matter as an “ongoing investigation,” stressing that authorities would only advance if evidence of wrongdoing were established.

The allegations involving Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, have circulated for years in conservative media and political circles. Despite their prevalence, they have not been proven in court, nor has any federal agency publicly released findings supporting them. Omar consistently denies any misconduct. Newsweek reached out to Omar’s office for comments following Mullin’s statements.

The DHS stated it could not comment on specific investigations. A spokesperson emphasized that “No one, including members of Congress, are above the law.” Mullin’s remarks represent one of the strongest public statements from a senior Trump administration official regarding accusations surrounding Omar.

The issue resurfaces amidst broader administration efforts to investigate possible immigration fraud cases. Mullin indicated that investigators are verifying whether any false information was provided during the immigration process, noting potential for such violations to remain actionable years later if proven.

Weeks prior, reports indicated Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) declined releasing certain records linked to an Omar-related inquiry, citing ongoing enforcement proceedings.

What Are the Allegations?

The primary allegation centers on Omar’s 2009 marriage to British citizen Ahmed Nur Said Elmi. Critics contend that Elmi was actually Omar’s biological brother, and that the marriage was part of an immigration scheme. The accusation gained national attention in 2019 when then-President Donald Trump and several conservative organizations requested further investigation. Family relationships, immigration records, and inconsistencies in public documents are central to the dispute.

No evidence has been verified to support the claims. The couple divorced in 2017.

What Evidence Has Been Reported?

Several investigations have scrutinized the claims. In 2019, the Minneapolis-based Star Tribune assessed recently acquired records and communications regarding Omar’s marital history. The publication reported that some documents prompted further questions about the timeline of Omar’s marriages and divorces, but did not confirm Elmi as her brother.

The New York Times similarly examined the accusations, reporting that while Omar’s personal history and marriage records raised eyebrows, there was no public evidence demonstrating that Elmi was her sibling. Omar consistently described the allegations as false and politically driven.

What Has DHS Said?

Mullin commented that investigators believe valid reasons for continuing the case exist, but emphasized no enforcement action would be initiated unless supported by evidence. “If we actually move a case forward, it’s not a political case,” Mullin declared. “It’s an actual case because they did things wrong.” He noted investigators are probing beyond the marriage allegation to assess potential broader irregularities in the family’s immigration history.

“As a matter of policy, DHS does not comment on specific investigative techniques, ongoing investigations, or potential future actions,” a DHS spokesperson told Newsweek.

Mullin did not provide documentary evidence supporting the claim that Omar married her brother, nor did he specify any charges under consideration.

What Has Omar Said?

Omar has consistently denied claims that Elmi is her brother and dismissed allegations of immigration fraud. When the topic re-emerged during her previous political campaigns, she refuted the accusations as unfounded attacks, describing them as “lies.” The Minnesota Democrat asserts that the allegations serve as distractions from other administrative activities.

What Happens Next

The future outcome of federal investigations regarding Omar remains uncertain. While DHS states an investigation is underway, no court has found Omar guilty of immigration fraud, and no government agency has publicly provided evidence proving her former husband was her brother.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Samantha Beech and Geoffrey Rowland.