Federal immigration agents searched the Washington-area home of US Representative Ilhan Omar on Monday morning. The raid is part of an active criminal investigation, according to federal officials.
The surprise action has thrust the high-profile Minnesota Democrat back into the center of a fierce political storm. It comes just over three weeks before crucial midterm elections that will determine which party controls Congress.
According to a Justice Department spokesperson, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents executed a court-authorized search warrant at the congresswoman’s residence. While the agency confirmed the search is tied to an ongoing federal inquiry, officials have refused to provide any specific details about what they are looking for or the exact nature of the case.
Because Congress is currently out of session, it remains unclear whether Omar was inside the home when federal agents arrived. Her office has not yet commented publicly on the raid.
Timing Raises Questions Close to Midterms
The timing of the raid is bound to spark intense controversy. With only 22 days left before voters head to the polls, the search appears to run up against a long-standing Justice Department guideline. Typically, federal prosecutors avoid taking highly public investigative steps close to an election to prevent the appearance of political interference or disadvantaging a candidate.
Omar, who represents a Minneapolis-based district, is running for reelection next month. She easily won her 2024 race with 74 percent of the vote.
For years, Republicans have targeted Omar’s personal history and immigration background. This year alone, South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace tried and failed to subpoena her immigration files.
Ramped Up Accusations From Conservatives
Recently, conservative officials have ramped up their public accusations. Last month, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin hinted at upcoming action during a conservative podcast appearance. Mullin claimed “something is going to happen,” repeating a long-circulating, unproven accusation that Omar once married her brother to secure him US citizenship. Mullin noted that the brother now resides in London.
Around the same time, White House border tsar Tom Homan told Fox News that Omar was under investigation for unspecified immigration infractions.
Omar has flatly denied all these claims. In a campaign fundraising email sent to supporters last month, she dismissed the allegations as “complete shams” and said she was not worried about the investigations.
A Long-Running Feud
The Minnesota lawmaker has been a frequent target of former President Donald Trump. Over the years, Trump has publicly insulted her, suggesting she should “go back” to Somalia and even hinting at deportation. US citizenship is a strict requirement to serve in the House of Representatives.
Last week, Trump escalated his rhetoric against her home state’s immigrant population. In a social media post, he claimed Minnesota was “being taken over by Somali immigrants” and urged local residents to “fight back.”
Omar, who fled war-torn Somalia with her family when she was eight years old, has previously described Trump’s focus on her as an “unhealthy and creepy obsession.”
As the first Somali-American elected to Congress and, alongside Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib, one of the first two Muslim women in the House, Omar has long been a polarizing figure. This latest federal raid is guaranteed to escalate the political warfare surrounding her seat just days before the election.