Obama's Administration Probed Ilhan Omar for Alleged Sham Marriage, Report Says
A New York Times report indicates the Obama-era FBI and DHS investigated claims of marriage fraud and green card violations involving the Minnesota representative.
Former President Barack Obama's administration investigated Representative Ilhan Omar over allegations of entering into a sham marriage with her brother to secure a green card, according to a report by The New York Times, citing current and former officials. The inquiry, conducted by the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI in the summer of 2016, reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting the marriage was fraudulent.
This revelation comes as Obama has publicly criticized President Donald Trump for targeting Omar with a criminal investigation, calling it "appalling." The New York Times report suggests Obama's administration previously pursued a similar line of inquiry into Omar's immigration status.
Prosecutors within the Obama administration reportedly concluded that the potential crime, a felony, fell outside the five-year statute of limitations. However, the report notes that the statute of limitations for marriage fraud is calculated from the last overt act of fraud or submission of false documents, rather than the date of the marriage itself. Legal experts contend that subsequent actions to obtain a green card, document fraud, conspiracy, or obstruction of justice could fall within the statute of limitations.
Furthermore, the Obama administration could have pursued civil immigration fraud, which carries no statute of limitations and could potentially lead to denaturalization and deportation if proven by clear and convincing evidence. The report raises questions about why this avenue was not explored.
The current federal investigation into Omar reportedly encompasses not only the alleged marriage fraud but also questions about her use of a false name and birth date to obtain citizenship, as well as her financial transactions. A warrant sought in connection with the investigation listed potential immigration crimes, including fraud.
Obama's recent public statements accused Trump of "intimidation" and selectively targeting Omar, failing to mention that his own administration had initiated an investigation into the same issues. The report also points out that Obama asserted facts about Omar's age at the time of her citizenship application that are disputed, potentially affecting her eligibility for derivative citizenship.