Ted Cruz warns Ilhan Omar could face prison and deportation if marriage allegation is proven

WASHINGTON, DC: Long-running allegations against Rep Ilhan Omar resurfaced this week after President Donald Trump revived claims at a Pennsylvania rally, prompting Sen Ted Cruz to publicly outline potential criminal consequences if the accusations were ever proven true.

The comments, made on Friday, Dec 12, on social media, reignited one of the most controversial and disputed narratives surrounding the Minnesota Democrat, who has repeatedly denied the accusations since entering national politics nearly a decade ago.

The renewed scrutiny followed Trump’s remarks earlier this week as he campaigned on affordability and immigration issues.

Ted Cruz lists potential criminal charges tied to disputed allegations

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, responded on X to a White House social media post asserting, “Yes, [Ilhan Omar] married her brother.” Cruz emphasized that his remarks were conditional, stating that legal consequences would apply only if the allegation were true.

“If this is true, then Omar faces criminal liability under three different statutes,” Cruz wrote.

He argued that Omar could potentially be liable for federal marriage fraud, which makes it a felony to knowingly enter into a marriage to evade US immigration laws. Cruz noted that such a charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and possible deportation.

Ted Cruz also cites state incest law and tax violations

Beyond federal immigration statutes, Cruz said Omar could face prosecution under Minnesota’s incest law, which classifies incest as a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

He further claimed that if Omar had filed joint tax returns while not legally married, she could also be exposed to tax fraud charges, carrying potential penalties of up to three years in prison and fines reaching $100,000.

Cruz framed his argument as a legal analysis rather than an accusation, but critics quickly noted that the claims themselves remain unproven and have never resulted in criminal charges.

Donald Trump revives long-debunked claims at rally

The controversy reignited after Trump revisited the allegation during a rally earlier this week, repeating claims that Omar married her brother to gain entry into the United States.

“She married her brother to get in, right?” Trump told the crowd.

He added, “If I married my sister to get my citizenship, do you think I'd last for about two hours or something less than that? She married her brother to get in.”

Trump went further, declaring, “Therefore, she's here illegally. She should get the hell out.”

The statements drew swift backlash from Democrats and civil rights advocates, who described the rhetoric as inflammatory and Islamophobic.

Ilhan Omar’s background and repeated denials

Omar was born in Somalia and arrived in the United States in 1995 after her family was granted asylum. She became a US citizen in 2000.

She has been legally married three times: first in a religious marriage to Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi in 2002, then to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi in 2009, before later divorcing and remarrying Hirsi. In 2020, she married political consultant Tim Mynett.

Omar has consistently denied allegations that Elmi was her brother, calling the claims false and politically motivated. No evidence has ever resulted in charges, and the allegations have remained unsubstantiated despite years of conservative scrutiny.