WASHINGTON: Federal agents searched the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar on Monday, October 12, as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, drawing renewed attention to allegations concerning her immigration history.
Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) carried out the search under a judicially authorised warrant obtained through the Department of Justice (DOJ).
A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the operation but did not disclose the specific allegations under investigation.
“This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal investigation,” the spokesperson said.
According to sources cited by Fox News, the investigation concerns immigration paperwork completed by Omar’s late father when she was a child. However, federal authorities have not publicly confirmed the precise scope of the investigation.
Why Is Ilhan Omar Under Investigation?
Two sources familiar with the investigation told Fox News that the search was connected to a criminal fraud inquiry involving Omar’s immigration paperwork.
The development follows earlier statements by Vice President JD Vance, who said in May that the Trump administration would investigate the congresswoman over allegations of immigration fraud.
Omar has rejected the accusations, describing them as “disgusting lies.”
The latest search does not, by itself, establish that any wrongdoing has occurred. As of Monday, authorities had not publicly announced criminal charges arising from the investigation.
Who Is Ilhan Omar?
Omar, 44, represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, which includes Minneapolis. First elected to the US House of Representatives in 2018, she has become a prominent figure in the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.
She is a member of the group of progressive lawmakers commonly known as “The Squad” and has frequently criticised the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
On October 10, Omar criticised Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, describing the agency as “out of control.”
Her outspoken opposition to the administration’s immigration policies has made her a frequent target of Republican criticism.
Trump Calls for Muslim Lawmakers Omar and Tlaib to Be “Removed” After State of the Union Clash
Donald Trump’s Criticism of Omar and Somali Immigrants
The search comes amid renewed criticism of Omar and Minnesota’s Somali community by President Donald Trump.
Last week, Trump posted on Truth Social that Minnesota was “being taken over by Somali Immigrants” and urged residents to “fight back.”
Trump and other administration officials have repeatedly criticised Omar, a Somali-born American politician, over her background and immigration history.
The latest development has therefore attracted attention not only because of the criminal investigation but also because of the broader political tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the administration’s disputes with prominent Democratic lawmakers.
What Have Authorities Confirmed So Far?
The DOJ has confirmed that HSI agents executed a judicially authorised search warrant in the Washington, D.C., area as part of an ongoing federal investigation.
However, officials have not publicly detailed the evidence being examined, the specific conduct under investigation or whether further legal action is expected.
Reports citing unnamed sources have linked the inquiry to Omar’s immigration paperwork, but the department has not independently confirmed those details.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the search should not be interpreted as proof of criminal wrongdoing. Further information will depend on what investigators disclose and whether any formal charges are brought.
