Randy Fine Threatens to Push Ilhan Omar Out of Congress

Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., said he is prepared to seek Rep. Ilhan Omar’s expulsion from Congress if a federal investigation determines that she committed immigration fraud.

According to Fox News, Fine, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, made the comments following a report on a federal court filing listing Omar under the name "Ilhan Nur Said Elmi" and identifying "Ilhan Abdullahi Omar" as an alias.

The filing has prompted renewed scrutiny of Omar’s identity and immigration records. It does not, however, establish that the Minnesota Democrat committed fraud.

Fine said he believes Congress would have to act if federal authorities determine Omar improperly obtained U.S. citizenship or otherwise violated immigration law.

"I assume that she’s not a citizen, so we might not even have to do that," Fine told Fox News. "You can’t be in Congress if you’re not a citizen of the United States, but if it isn’t automatic, I absolutely will demand expulsion immediately."

Omar is a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Somalia and became a U.S. citizen in 2000. She has denied wrongdoing and described the federal investigation as politically motivated.

Fine also predicted Democrats would oppose any Republican effort to censure or expel Omar.

The Constitution gives the House authority to remove one of its members, but expulsion requires a two-thirds vote. A criminal investigation or accusation by itself does not automatically strip a member of Congress of their seat.

The Republican lawmaker also took aim at Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., over legislation she introduced in September. Ramirez’s Reimagining Safety Act would dismantle the Department of Homeland Security and abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection while transferring some of their functions to a proposed Department of Community Safety.

Fine cited the legislation while criticizing Democrats over immigration policy.

He also rejected claims that the investigation into Omar was purely political, citing a separate inquiry into her financial disclosures that began in 2024 during President Joe Biden's administration.

Federal scrutiny of Omar intensified on Oct. 12, when Homeland Security Investigations agents searched her Washington, D.C., residence as part of an investigation into possible false statements involving immigration and naturalization documents.

The Associated Press has reported that authorities also issued grand jury subpoenas to members of Omar’s family and seized her cellphone.