In brief
U.S. immigration investigators entered the Minnesota representative's Washington, D.C., home early Monday on a judicial warrant tied to a federal criminal investigation. The case, still shrouded in secrecy, has prompted scrutiny of Omar's immigration background—a record that has previously drawn Republican attention. Omar, a Somali-born Democrat, has faced inflammatory remarks from former President Donald Trump and has responded by labeling the attacks "unhealthy and creepy obsession." The investigation follows Trump’s recent social‑media post accusing Minnesota of being overtaken by Somali immigrants. How the probe will impact Omar’s re‑election bid in November remains uncertain.
Immigration agents search Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's home
US immigration agents searched the home of Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar on Monday morning as part of a criminal investigation.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents "executed a judicially authorised search warrant" for the home in the Washington, DC, area, a US Justice Department spokesperson told CBS News, the BBC’s US partner.
The search "is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation," the spokesperson said but no further details were given.
Omar was born in Somalia and came to the US aged eight fleeing war. First elected to Congress in 2018, she is running for re‑election next month, and is an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump.
The US Congress is currently out of session and it is unclear if Omar was at the home. The BBC has contacted Omar for comment.
While the nature of the criminal investigation remains unclear, it is not the first time her immigration records have been scrutinised by Republicans. Earlier this year, fellow Congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina unsuccessfully filed a subpoena of her records.
Omar, a Democrat, has been the target of Trump's insults and the president previously suggested that she "should go back" to Somalia and at times said she should be deported. US citizenship is required to serve as a US House Representative.
Omar has responded to Trump's insults and attacks describing them as "unhealthy and creepy obsession."
The president has also spoken unfavourably 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."
Omar is the first Somali‑American elected to the US House of Representatives and she represents a district in the Minneapolis area. She and Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib were the first Muslim women elected to Congress.
