US President Donald Trump has suggested that Somali-born Congresswoman Ilhan Omar could face deportation as federal authorities investigate allegations involving her immigration records.
Trump also criticised Somalia, using an offensive term to describe the East African country. His remarks came on October 20, days after federal agents searched Omar’s home in Washington, DC.
According to Al Jazeera, Trump called the Democratic lawmaker sick and dishonest while questioning her right to remain in the United States.
However, Omar is a naturalised US citizen. She has denied wrongdoing and accused the administration of targeting her for political reasons.
Trump raises possibility of Ilhan Omar’s deportation
Trump’s latest comments followed a federal investigation into Omar’s immigration history.
The president suggested that Omar could be deported if authorities found irregularities in her citizenship records.
He also repeated personal criticism of the congresswoman, who has frequently challenged his immigration policies.
During his remarks, Trump described Somalia using the derogatory term “s—house”.
The comments renewed attention on his longstanding disputes with Omar and his criticism of Somali immigrants.
However, Trump’s statements do not establish that Omar committed immigration fraud or that she can legally be deported.
Federal agents search Omar’s Washington home
Federal investigators searched Omar’s Washington residence on October 12.
According to Reuters, the investigation concerns immigration documents submitted decades ago when Omar and her family moved to the United States.
Authorities are examining allegations that information in those records may have been inaccurate.
The investigation reportedly includes questions about Omar’s birth date and documents connected to her late father.
Federal agents also seized materials during the search.
Omar’s lawyers have challenged the operation and demanded the return of property taken from her home.
They argue that the investigation lacks justification and represents political intimidation.
The Justice Department has maintained that the search followed legal procedures.
Ilhan Omar denies immigration fraud allegations
Omar has rejected allegations that she obtained American citizenship through fraudulent means.
The congresswoman has described the investigation as an attempt to intimidate her and other political opponents.
She became a US citizen in 2000 after arriving in the country as a refugee from Somalia.
Omar was born in Mogadishu and fled Somalia’s civil war with her family.
After spending several years in a refugee camp in Kenya, the family resettled in the United States in 1995.
She later entered politics in Minnesota and won election to Congress in 2018.
Omar became the first Somali-American elected to the US House of Representatives.
She was also among the first two Muslim women elected to Congress.
Can a US citizen be deported?
US citizenship generally protects individuals from deportation.
However, the government can seek to revoke naturalised citizenship through a legal process known as denaturalisation.
Such cases typically require authorities to establish grounds for revoking citizenship, including certain forms of fraud or material misrepresentation during naturalisation.
A criminal investigation alone does not automatically remove citizenship.
Authorities would need to pursue the necessary legal proceedings before deportation could become possible.
Reuters reported that investigators were examining whether Omar’s historical immigration documents contained false statements.
No final judicial finding establishing immigration fraud by Omar has been reported.
Investigation raises political concerns
The investigation comes shortly before the November 3 US midterm elections.
Omar is seeking another term in Congress and remains a prominent Democratic critic of Trump’s administration.
The timing of the search has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers and civil rights advocates.
They argue that investigating a political opponent so close to an election raises concerns about the use of federal law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the administration maintains that authorities are pursuing allegations through established legal procedures.
The dispute has also renewed debate about immigration, citizenship and the treatment of Somali-American communities.
Somalia becomes focus of Trump’s latest remarks
Somalia has frequently appeared in Trump’s criticism of immigration and foreign-born political figures.
His latest remarks targeted both Omar and her country of birth.
Somalia continues to face major challenges, including insecurity, poverty and the effects of prolonged conflict.
However, the country has also made efforts to rebuild government institutions and strengthen economic development.
Omar has previously criticised Trump’s statements about Somalia and immigrant communities.
For now, the investigation into her immigration records remains unresolved.
Any attempt to revoke her citizenship would require further legal action, while Omar continues to deny the allegations against her.