WASHINGTON — A federal court filing has referred to Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) by the name “Ilhan Nur Said Elmi,” a surname that closely resembles that of her former husband, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, according to a report by The Post.
In a filing submitted Wednesday in federal court in Washington, prosecutors identified the Minnesota Democrat as “Ilhan Nur Said Elmi, a/k/a Ilhan Abdullahi Omar.” Officials and legal experts said the wording appears to reflect evidence gathered during an immigration-fraud investigation involving Omar.
Attorney General Todd Blanche told The Post Thursday that prosecutors would not invent names in court filings. Asked about the surname’s similarity to that of Omar’s former spouse — who has been the subject of long-standing speculation about a possible family relationship — Blanche said, “I don’t think AUSAs would make up names.”
“Evidence that’s collected is used in motions,” Blanche added.
A source familiar with the investigation told The Post that “Omar” is not the congresswoman’s original surname. Fox News was the first outlet to report that detail.
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Omar and her representatives have repeatedly denied claims that she married her brother in 2009 to assist him in obtaining a green card.
A spokesperson for Omar’s congressional office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Her defense attorneys also did not respond.
Asked directly Wednesday on MS NOW whether she was related to her former husband, Omar replied, “Not to my knowledge.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
