US immigration authorities raid home of Democratic lawmaker Ilhan Omar
US federal authorities have issued subpoenas for Ilhan Omar’s family as part of a criminal probe into her immigration records from Somalia.
Key Takeaways
AIUS federal authorities have issued subpoenas for members of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s family, including her sister, as part of a criminal investigation and an extensive review of their immigration records and family history upon arriving from Somalia.
The Department of Justice said US authorities raided the Washington, D.C. home of the Minnesota representative early Monday morning. Omar, a vocal critic of Donald Trump and frequent target of the former Republican president, is under investigation, according to officials.
Reuters cited a source familiar with the probe as saying it concerns allegations of immigration fraud. Part of the investigation reportedly focuses on the immigration documents filed by Omar’s late father when she was a child.
Democrats, according to the agency, have accused Trump and his administration of abusing their power. Omar, 44, is seeking a fifth two-year term in the House of Representatives in the upcoming midterm elections scheduled for November 3.
A Justice Department spokesperson said upon announcing the raid: "Homeland Security Investigations today executed a court-authorized search warrant obtained by the Department of Justice in the Washington, D.C. area. This action is part of an ongoing federal investigation."
The raid took place just over three weeks before the midterm elections, as Trump’s Republican Party seeks to maintain control of Congress. Omar is a prominent progressive figure representing a strongly Democratic district, and she was re-elected in 2024 by a 50-point margin.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other party leaders said in a statement that the raid was "deeply concerning and raises serious questions" about the federal government being used as a weapon against Trump’s opponents.
In recent hours, former President Donald Trump called on Omar to explain what he described as inconsistencies in her financial disclosures, questioning the source of her wealth and assets after she amended a previous financial statement, following the federal authorities’ search of her Washington home.
On Truth Social, Trump claimed Omar had reported a net worth of up to $30 million before revising it to $100,000, questioning whether the initial figure reflected proceeds from fraud.
He added: "Where did the money for her house, cars, and Washington residence come from?" Trump also questioned how many people she allegedly brought illegally from Somalia.