Omar faces dual legal risks in federal probes

Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota faces two distinct legal paths as federal agencies dig into her past.

The investigations focus on alleged immigration fraud and a large gap in her financial disclosures.

Nathan Hansen, an attorney with 23 years of experience, says these are separate tracks.

He was appointed by former Attorney General Pam Bondi as an immigration judge earlier this year.

He served in that role for four months before leaving the bench.

Hansen notes that a criminal conviction does not automatically trigger a loss of citizenship.

He says a naturalized citizen who is convicted typically faces standard court punishments.

Denaturalization is a civil proceeding brought by the Department of Justice.

The Department of Homeland Security usually handles the administrative side of such cases.

Hansen believes the decision to pursue denaturalization rests with Justice Department officials.

He says a link between a criminal conviction and citizenship status makes that step more likely.

Sources familiar with the probe say Omar's legal name is Ilhan Nur Said Elmi investigators are looking at how she or her late father filled out citizenship paperwork for her. A Homeland Security Investigation team raided her home in Washington, D.C., on the morning of Oct. 12. Agents took her phone, passport, and computer during the search. Fox News confirmed that authorities also have her DNA sample. Hansen addresses the common argument that the statute of limitations may have expired. He rejects that idea based on the nature of the alleged crime. "My view of that is generally that fraud stops any statute of limitations," Hansen said. He explains that if facts were hidden, the clock does not start running against the other party. This is a general principle of law he cites in such cases. The broader immigration system is under heavy strain, Hansen observes. He estimates that tens of millions of people are currently in the United States. In Minnesota alone, 20,000 to 30,000 removal cases are waiting without a court date. This backlog contributes to what he calls an overwhelming of the system. He also points to a high volume of asylum claims that lack legal merit. Asylum relief requires proof of persecution based on race, religion, ethnicity, or political views. Hansen says he often saw documents that appeared fake while serving as a judge. He recalls cases where applicants claimed persecution for minor insults. He told them the United States offers strong protection for free speech and insults. The legal framework does not treat rudeness as a crime in most situations.