Trump amplifies report as ICE withholds records in Ilhan Omar immigration probe

WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is withholding all records related to an investigation of alleged immigration fraud involving Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar, citing a Freedom of Information Act exemption for ongoing enforcement proceedings.

President Donald Trump shared the report on Truth Social on Sunday, posting the headline “ICE refuses to disclose records on Ilhan Omar fraud probe, cites ongoing ‘enforcement proceedings’”

Just the News submitted the FOIA request in January seeking ICE files on claims that Omar married a relative to help him remain in the United States. ICE responded in May that the records were being withheld in full under Title 5 U.S.C. § 552(b)(7)(A).

“Disclosure of any responsive records at this time could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings,” the agency wrote.

The exemption applies to law-enforcement records whose release could disrupt pending or contemplated proceedings, according to Justice Department guidance. Officials must show a reasonable likelihood of such a proceeding and that disclosure would cause articulable harm, such as tipping off a suspect or exposing witnesses.

The claims first surfaced during Omar’s 2016 campaign for the Minnesota House. Critics alleged she married Elmi while still married to Ahmed Hirsi and that Elmi was a relative. Omar’s campaign called both assertions “categorically ridiculous and false.”

Public records show Omar applied for a marriage license with Hirsi in 2002 but completed only a religious ceremony. She married Elmi in 2009, obtained a religious divorce from him in 2011, filed for a civil divorce from Elmi in 2017 after winning her state House seat, and married Hirsi in 2018.

Trump has repeatedly referenced the marriage claims in public remarks and called for Omar’s removal from office.