Prominent Republican leader calls for prison, deportation for Ilhan Omar if fraud proven in citizenship process

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer stated that Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar should serve a prison sentence and be deported from the United States if federal investigations confirm that she lied on official documents to obtain U.S. citizenship.

The remarks by the third-ranking leader in the House of Representatives come amid an investigation led by the Department of Justice into the naturalization process of Omar and her family in the late 1990s, after they emigrated from Somalia.

In remarks provided to Fox News Digital, Emmer emphasized that the case warrants severe consequences if the irregularities reported for years regarding the age declared by the lawmaker when she filled out her immigration forms are confirmed.

"I would say that first she should serve a prison sentence and then leave here. She should go back to where she came from if it is proven that the allegations are true," Emmer said. "If it is determined that she lied to obtain citizenship, then, absolutely, she should go back to the front of the line."

Department of Justice records and controversy over date of birth

The case took on a new dimension this week after federal agents executed a search warrant at Omar's residence in Washington, D.C., seizing her cell phone and other personal items.

The focus of the investigations lies in her father's naturalization in the year 2000. According to current law, citizenship is automatically granted to minor children.

Records from that time indicated that Omar was 17 years old at the time of the application; however, recent inquiries suggest that the congresswoman was actually 18 years old, which would have required her to apply independently and under different legal criteria.

Emmer argued that a federal judge's prior approval of a search warrant validates the seriousness of the investigation. "That judge had to determine that there was probable cause that a federal crime had been committed," said the Minnesota lawmaker. "The fact that they issued the warrant in the first place and executed it means that, perhaps, after all these years, someone is finally going to hold Ilhan Omar accountable."

Response from the Democratic caucus and allegations of political manipulation

Ilhan Omar and Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives described the operation as a political witch hunt just weeks before the election. In a post on X, the congresswoman denounced the proceedings.

"Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and to exploit federal law enforcement. For ten years, Trump has attacked me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation," Omar stated, asserting that "she will not be silenced."

Along the same lines, Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a joint statement denouncing the search as a "deeply disturbing" action that raises serious questions about the neutrality of federal agencies.

In response to these allegations, Republican leaders reiterated that the case must follow its legal course in the courts to determine the veracity of the documents submitted to immigration authorities.