Federal agents executed a search warrant at the Washington, D.C.-area home of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) on Monday, October 14, according to multiple reports. The Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) confirmed the raid, which sources indicate is part of an ongoing immigration-related federal investigation into Omar’s past immigration paperwork. Omar’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the specifics of the investigation.
Omar launches fundraising campaign following raid
On the same day as the search, Omar’s campaign sent a fundraising email describing the raid as a "baseless, partisan investigation" targeting her for her political views. The message, obtained by The Hill, urged supporters to "chip in" to help Omar "beat Trump and keep fighting for our progressive values in Congress." The email framed the investigation as an attempt by the Trump administration to silence her, stating: "Donald Trump and DHS have opened a baseless, partisan investigation into Ilhan Omar, and she needs us by her side as they escalate their attacks." The fundraising effort is ongoing, with Omar’s team soliciting donations to support her reelection campaign, which is scheduled for November 5.
Trump declines to take position on Omar’s deportation
President Donald Trump addressed the raid during a public appearance on Tuesday, October 15, calling Omar a "terrible person" and a "terrible congresswoman" but stating he did not take a position on whether she should be deported. Trump’s remarks came after Vice President JD Vance confirmed he had no prior knowledge of the search warrant before it was executed. Vance also stated that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and federal investigations are conducted "in a fair and honest way," emphasizing that any prosecution must be evidence-based and not politically motivated. Trump has previously targeted Omar on social media, including posts calling for her to be "sent back to Somalia" and "in jail."
Democrats allege political targeting ahead of midterms
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and other senior Democrats issued a joint statement on October 12 criticizing the timing of the raid, which occurred less than 30 days before the midterm elections. The statement described the search as part of a "violent mass deportation machine" targeting a duly elected member of Congress. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) further condemned the raid as a "scandalous abuse of prosecutorial and executive power", arguing it violated DOJ guidelines prohibiting overt investigative actions within 60 days of an election. Raskin claimed the investigation appeared to focus on alleged fraud in Omar’s father’s immigration paperwork from the 1990s, questioning the urgency of the raid so close to Election Day.
Federal officials cite probable cause for search warrant
Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Jonathan Fahey told The New York Post that securing a judicial warrant for Omar’s home was not a straightforward process, indicating federal investigators had "probable cause" to believe immigration crimes may have been committed. Border Czar Tom Homan also stated that the investigation into Omar’s immigration history had been ongoing for some time, though he declined to provide specifics, deferring to DOJ and DHS leadership. The DOJ’s longstanding policy advises prosecutors to avoid overt investigative steps against members of Congress or candidates within 60 days of an election, a timeline that places the raid 16 days before the midterms.
Omar denies wrongdoing, calls raid an intimidation tactic
Omar posted on X (formerly Twitter) following the raid, stating: "Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement. For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation. I will not be silenced." Her office has not provided additional details about the investigation or the evidence being sought. The raid marks the first time a sitting member of Congress has had their home searched by federal agents in connection with an immigration-related probe.
Background: Omar’s immigration history and political career
Omar, born in Somalia, immigrated to the U.S. as a refugee in the 1990s and became a naturalized citizen in 2000. She was first elected to Congress in 2018 and is the first Somali-American to serve in the House. Her immigration status has been a recurring subject of political debate, with critics questioning the legitimacy of her citizenship and past statements about U.S. foreign policy. Omar has previously faced scrutiny over her 2019 comments about the 9/11 attacks and her support for progressive policies, including Medicare for All and the Green New Deal. The current investigation does not appear to be connected to her legislative work or official duties as a member of Congress.