Homeland Security Investigations agents searched the Washington-area home of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., before dawn Monday under a judicially authorized warrant, as part of a criminal investigation reportedly tied to immigration paperwork filed on her behalf as a child.
The search began around 6 a.m., when multiple agents wearing HSI jackets were seen outside the residence, according to Fox News Digital, which first reported the raid. HSI is the investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.
A Justice Department spokesperson confirmed that HSI executed a search warrant secured by the department and said the action is “part of an ongoing federal investigation.” The spokesperson did not name Omar or describe the nature of the probe. No charges against Omar have been announced.
Fox News Digital, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that the investigation concerns alleged fraud in naturalization paperwork completed by Omar’s late father. Omar arrived in the United States as a refugee from Somalia in 1995 and became a citizen in 2000, Common Dreams reported, citing Fox. The Daily Planet has not independently verified the details of the probe.
White House Border Czar Tom Homan said in mid-September that Omar was the subject of a criminal investigation, according to Fox News Digital. Omar told the outlet at the time that Homeland Security had not contacted her.
Omar’s office condemned the search Monday. “This raid by Trump’s DHS is an outrageous abuse of power,” Jacklyn Rogers, communications director for Omar’s office, said in a statement. Omar has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and called the allegations politically motivated.
House Democratic leadership also criticized the search, calling it “deeply disturbing” and raising concerns about the use of federal power against political adversaries.
In a fundraising newsletter sent to supporters, Omar linked the timing to the Nov. 3 midterm election, in which she is on the ballot for Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District.
“It’s no accident that this raid comes three weeks before an election where I’m on the ballot,” Omar wrote. She called the probe “a sham investigation” and accused President Donald Trump of using the Justice Department to intimidate his opponents. She urged supporters to donate.
The search comes amid heightened federal activity in Minnesota. More than 2,400 federal agents were deployed to the Minneapolis area as part of immigration enforcement and a state fraud investigation, which federal prosecutors estimate could exceed $9 billion. Omar has criticized that surge.
Federal authorities have not said what, if anything, was seized, and no timeline for any charging decision has been announced.
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