U.S. Democratic House Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) looks on after visiting the protest encampment supporting Palestinians at Columbia University campus, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in New York City, U.S., April 25, 2024. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs
(Washington, DC) — Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon confirmed this week that individuals who obtain U.S. citizenship through fraudulent means — including misrepresenting marital or familial status — could face denaturalization proceedings under federal law.
Dhillon made the remarks while discussing the legal standards surrounding citizenship applications, stating:
“If you lie about your marriage status on which your citizenship depends or your familial status or what have you — if you fake any of those documents or you lie — that’s grounds for denaturalization.”
Her comments have fueled renewed political discussion surrounding Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Somali-born member of Congress who became a U.S. citizen in 2000.
What Is Denaturalization?
Denaturalization is the legal process by which the federal government revokes U.S. citizenship if it determines that citizenship was unlawfully obtained. According to federal law, this can occur if:
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An applicant willfully misrepresented or concealed material facts
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Citizenship was procured through fraud
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Required eligibility conditions were not legitimately met
The burden of proof in denaturalization cases is high, and the government must demonstrate clear evidence of material misrepresentation.
Political Firestorm
Dhillon’s remarks come amid long-standing controversy and political criticism surrounding Omar’s immigration and marital history — allegations that Omar has consistently denied and for which no court has issued a finding of wrongdoing.
Omar, who has served in Congress since 2019, has frequently been a target of criticism from conservative lawmakers and commentators over a range of issues, including her policy positions and past personal matters.
At this time, there has been no public announcement from the Department of Justice confirming that formal denaturalization proceedings have been initiated against Omar.
Legal Experts Weigh In
Legal scholars note that denaturalization cases are rare and typically reserved for situations involving clear fraud, such as falsified identities, undisclosed criminal histories, or sham marriages used solely to obtain immigration benefits.
Any potential action would require a formal civil proceeding in federal court.
What Happens Next?
As of now, Dhillon’s remarks appear to outline general legal standards rather than confirm a specific action. The Department of Justice has not publicly confirmed an active case targeting Omar.
If proceedings were to be filed, the case would move through federal court and could take months or years to resolve.
