US Immigration Agents Search Ilhan Omar’s Home in Criminal Investigation Ahead of Midterm Elections

US immigration agents have searched the Washington-area home of Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, according to a US Justice Department spokesperson. The search was carried out by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents under a judicially authorised warrant, but authorities have not disclosed the nature of the investigation.

Omar, a Democratic lawmaker and vocal critic of President Donald Trump, condemned the operation, describing it as an attempt to target political opponents and use federal law enforcement for political purposes. In a social media post, she accused Trump of spending years directing what she called baseless allegations and smear campaigns against her.

“This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation. I will not be silenced,” Omar said. Her communications director, Jacklyn Rogers, also criticised the search, calling it an “outrageous abuse of power” and maintaining that the congresswoman had done nothing wrong.

Trump denied having any involvement in the Justice Department investigation when questioned by reporters on Monday. However, he criticised Omar personally and later referred to the search during a rally in Ohio. According to US media reports, his remarks about Omar and Somali immigrants prompted chants of “deport” from some members of the crowd.

The investigation has drawn additional attention because of its timing, coming 22 days before the November midterm elections, which will determine the balance of power in Congress for the next two years. Senior Democrats in the House of Representatives criticised the operation, arguing that Omar had faced repeated personal attacks and that the search raised concerns about the use of federal authority against an elected lawmaker so close to an election.

The Justice Department has a longstanding policy of refraining from most enforcement actions likely to raise concerns that they are intended to influence an election or disadvantage a candidate. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz accused Trump of abusing his power to pursue political opponents, while Senator Tina Smith described the search as an attempt to interfere in the elections. Republican Representative Tom Emmer, meanwhile, said nobody was above the law and called for more information about the investigation.

Omar’s immigration history has previously been scrutinised by Republican politicians. Last month, she rejected allegations relating to immigration violations and described the investigations as “complete shams”. Fox News reported that the latest investigation concerned immigration paperwork allegedly filed by Omar’s late father when she was a child, although authorities have not publicly confirmed that account or provided further details about the case.

Omar represents a district in the Minneapolis area and became the first Somali American elected to the US House of Representatives. She and Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib were also the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Omar won re-election in 2024 with 74% of the vote. As the federal investigation continues, its precise scope and any potential legal implications remain unclear.