Federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations raided the Washington, DC-area home of Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar on Monday morning as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
The Justice Department confirmed that agents had executed a court-authorized search warrant but did not identify Omar by name or provide details about the nature of the investigation. Agents were seen carrying boxes from the home to a van.
The search is linked to allegations of immigration fraud involving paperwork submitted by Omar's late father when she was a child, according to reports citing unidentified sources. No charges have been announced.
Omar's office has not issued an immediate public response to Monday's search. It was unclear whether she was at the home at the time, as Congress is currently out of session.
The Somali-born congresswoman came to the United States as a child refugee and later became a naturalized citizen. She represents a district in Minnesota that includes Minneapolis and was first elected to Congress in 2018. She is running for reelection next month.
Omar has long been a target of Trump's political attacks, particularly over immigration. Trump has previously suggested she "should go back" to Somalia and that she should be deported. US citizenship is required to serve as a member of the House of Representatives.
Last month, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told a conservative podcaster that "something is going to happen," making allegations of marital fraud against Omar. The White House border security chief Tom Homan separately stated that Omar was being investigated for unspecified immigration violations.
Vice President JD Vance has also accused Omar of immigration fraud without providing evidence. In an interview with a conservative podcaster, Vance said he and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller had discussed how to build a case against her. "How do you go after her? How do you investigate her? How do you actually do the thing?" Vance said. Omar's office dismissed those allegations as "fabricated and defamatory."
Omar denied the broader allegations last month. "I will say it again so it's as clear as possible: I'm not at all worried about these investigations, because they are complete shams," she said in a campaign fundraising email.
She has previously described Trump's fixation on her as an "unhealthy and creepy obsession" and said she and her family have faced death threats as a result of his rhetoric.
It is not the first time Omar's immigration records have come under scrutiny from Republicans. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina unsuccessfully filed a subpoena for her records.
The search comes just over three weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, in which Republicans are fighting to retain control of Congress.
Trump has also made broader remarks about the Somali American community. Last week, he wrote on social media that Minnesota "is being taken over by Somali immigrants" and said "the people of Minnesota must fight back." In December, he called Omar and other Somali immigrants "garbage." In February, he said Omar and Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib should be "institutionalised" and sent back to "where they came from."
Some Republicans welcomed Monday's search. "Nobody is above the law," said Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer. "We look forward to learning more details about this raid and investigation. ACCOUNTABILITY IS COMING!"
Last month, a Minnesota man was sentenced to 14 months in prison for spraying Omar with vinegar during a January town hall meeting, at the height of the administration's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.
