Deleted 2013 tweet fuels new scrutiny of Ilhan Omar's family ties
A 2013 social-media post by Rep. Ilhan Omar that named her father differently has resurfaced amid a federal probe into her immigration paperwork.
A June 2013 post on X, later deleted in September 2019, praised a father identified as “Nur Said,” diverging from other records that list her father as Nur Omar Mohamed. The tweet’s resurfacing coincided with a federal search of Omar’s Washington, DC, residence on Oct. 12, linked to a criminal inquiry into alleged false statements on immigration and naturalization documents. Omar’s representatives have repeatedly rejected the notion that her ex-husband Ahmed Nur Said Elmi is her brother, attributing the name similarity to a nickname and to threats received.
Recent court documents name her as “Ilhan Nur Said Elmi, aka Ilhan Abdullahi Omar,” though she told reporters her correct name is Ilhan Abdullahi Omar. The investigation could invoke the federal false statements statute if intent and materiality are proven, but the Justice Department has not commented.
Why it matters
The case could affect public trust in a high-profile lawmaker and raise questions about immigration document accuracy.
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