Federal agents searched the Washington DC home of Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar early on Monday as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Homeland Security Investigations agents carried out the search at about 6am, according to people familiar with the operation. The US Justice Department said the agents were acting under a judicially authorised warrant secured by the department.
“This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation,” a Justice Department spokesperson said, without providing further details.
Investigation reportedly linked to immigration paperwork
Fox News reported that the search was connected to an investigation into immigration paperwork completed by Ms Omar’s late father when she was a child. The Associated Press said the precise focus of the inquiry had not been made clear.
Ms Omar, a Democrat who represents Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District, has previously denied allegations of immigration fraud and dismissed claims surrounding her family history as “disgusting lies”. She told Fox News last month that federal authorities had not contacted her about an investigation.
The inquiry had been publicly acknowledged in September by Tom Homan, the White House border czar, who said the Department of Homeland Security was conducting an ongoing criminal investigation but did not disclose its scope.
A request for comment was sent to Ms Omar’s office. No charges have been announced and the investigation remains ongoing.
