Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) moved during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing on January 7, 2026, to subpoena immigration records related to Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), citing longstanding allegations of marriage fraud.
Why It Matters
The action revives unsubstantiated claims that Omar married her brother to secure immigration benefits, allegations that surfaced during her initial congressional campaign but were not proven in subsequent reviews. Coming amid a committee examination of fraud in federal programs, the motion reflects intensified Republican oversight of immigration issues and potential misuse of government benefits.
What to Know
On January 7, 2026, during the committee’s hearing titled “Oversight of Fraud and Misuse of Federal Funds in Minnesota: Part I,” Mace sought recognition from the chair to make a formal motion.
She proposed that the committee issue a subpoena to the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for “all records related to the immigration, naturalization, or any immigration benefit received by Ilhan Omar, Minnesota Ahmed Abdi Salan [phonetic], Irsi [phonetic], also known as Ahmed Aydin [phonetic], Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, and any members of Ilhan Omar’s family.”
The chair acknowledged the motion and stated it would be held in abeyance until the conclusion of the hearing, proceeding without immediate debate or vote.
Mace later announced the move on X: “BREAKING: We just moved to subpoena Rep. Ilhan Omar and her brother/husband’s immigration records in the Oversight Committee. Federal marriage fraud and knowingly entering a marriage to evade immigration laws is a serious felony punishable by prison time, steep fines, denaturalization and deportation. Marrying a sibling is illegal in every state. We intend to get to the bottom of it. END THE FRAUD. DENATURALIZE AND DEPORT ILHAN OMAR.”
The targeted records involve individuals linked to past allegations about Omar’s marital history, particularly her marriage to Ahmed Nur Said Elmi.
What People Are Saying
Mace described the subpoena effort as essential to uncovering potential federal crimes and ending fraud.
Supporters have amplified the announcement, calling for full investigation into the claims.
Omar has repeatedly denied the allegations, previously dismissing them as baseless and politically driven. Fact-checks from earlier cycles found no conclusive evidence supporting the brother-marriage claim.
What Happens Next
The committee could take up the motion for a vote at the end of the current hearing or in a subsequent session. If approved, the subpoena would require production of the specified records from DHS and USCIS. The ongoing multi-part series of hearings on Minnesota-related fraud may produce additional motions or findings based on witness testimony.
