US immigration authorities carried out a predawn raid on Monday at the Washington area home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. The action forms part of an ongoing federal investigation led by the Justice Department and involving Homeland Security Investigations.
A person familiar with the matter said the probe centers on alleged immigration fraud. It specifically looks at paperwork filled out by Omar’s late father when she was a child. Omar, who was born in Somalia, has long been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump.
A Justice Department spokesperson confirmed that Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a judicially authorized search warrant. Homeland Security Investigations operates under US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Border Czar Tom Homan told Fox Business that the Justice Department is leading the case with the Department of Homeland Security but declined to share further details of the active criminal investigation.
The raid took place a little more than three weeks before the November 3 midterm elections. Omar represents a safe Democratic district in Minnesota and is seeking reelection. She won her last race by a wide margin of 50 percentage points. Minnesota Democrats strongly condemned the move. Governor Tim Walz stated that Americans can see President Trump abusing his power to target political opponents right before an election.
Justice Department policy normally restricts federal prosecutors and agents from taking steps that could influence an election outcome, especially within about 60 days of voting. During Trump’s second term the department has pursued investigations and charges against several of his critics, including former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former national security adviser John Bolton.
Omar has faced repeated political attacks from Trump, who has directed harsh comments at the Somali American community in Minnesota. She has described his focus on her as an unhealthy and creepy obsession. Trump previously suggested that Omar and fellow Muslim lawmaker Rashida Tlaib should be institutionalized and sent back to where they came from. Omar has also reported receiving death threats that she links to heated political rhetoric.
Civil rights advocates have criticized the administration’s language toward immigrants and minorities. The timing of the raid has intensified those concerns among Democrats ahead of the midterms.
