'We’re investigating’: DHS chief claims Omar married her brother, says deportation could be pursued

DALLAS, TEXAS: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has claimed that an internal investigation determined that Rep Ilhan Omar married her brother, suggesting the Minnesota Democrat could face deportation if investigators establish that she violated immigration laws.

Mullin made the remarks during a conversation with conservative commentator Benny Johnson at the 2026 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas. He said the investigation is still ongoing and that investigators are examining whether Omar’s marriage involved immigration violations. 

Omar has repeatedly denied that Ahmed Elmi was her brother and has maintained that their 2009 marriage was legal. The allegations, which have circulated publicly for years, have resurfaced as federal officials intensify scrutiny of Omar and her family.

Markwayne Mullin claims Ilhan Omar married her brother to 'bring him into the US'

Mullin said investigators believe Omar married Elmi, a British citizen originally from Somalia, as part of an effort to help him remain in the United States. “We know that she married her brother to try to bring him into the United States,” he said. “We know he lives now in London.”

Mullin further 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."

“We're investigating,” the DHS chief said. “There's no expiration to that.”

Mullin also said Omar could face deportation if investigators establish that she should not have been admitted to or allowed to remain in the US. “If we can prove it that, maybe you shouldn't have been here in the first place, we'll deport you,” he remarked.

Mullin did not publicly identify specific potential immigration-document violations or evidence supporting the allegation. Omar became a naturalized US citizen in 2000. Omar married Elmi in 2009. She has said the marriage to Elmi was legal and has constantly denied that he is her brother. She later divorced Elmi and is now married to political consultant Tim Mynett.

Longstanding allegations about Omar and Elmi emerged publicly in 2016, after reports claimed that the two were siblings. A former friend of the congresswoman, Abdihakim Osman, told the Daily Mail in 2020 that Omar had discussed helping her brother obtain immigration papers. 

DHS and DOJ scrutiny intensifies around Ilhan Omar

Mullin rejected the suggestion that the investigation is politically motivated, despite Omar being a frequent target of President Donald Trump and other Republicans. 

“When we move forward,” Mullin said, “it's not political.”

DHS, however, stopped short of independently confirming Mullin’s characterization of the investigation. “As a matter of policy, DHS does not comment on specific investigative techniques, ongoing investigations, or potential future actions,” a spokesperson said. “No one, including members of Congress, are above the law,” the spokesperson added.

Earlier this month, House Oversight Chairman James Comer also announced on Johnson's show that the Justice Department was investigating Omar and her family. 

Comer said officials under Attorney General Todd Blanche told him Omar was “in the crosshairs” and that the scrutiny extended to her “entire” family. Comer also alleged that Mynett committed fraud but did not provide evidence or details supporting the claim.