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US federal agents searched the Washington-area home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar on Monday as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, the US Department of Justice said.
Agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a court-authorised search warrant in the Washington, DC, area. However, the department did not disclose details of the investigation.
The search reportedly relates to allegations of possible immigration fraud involving paperwork submitted by Omar’s late father when she was a child, according to media reports. No formal charges have been announced in connection with the investigation.
Omar, a Somali-born lawmaker representing Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, has long faced criticism from US President Donald Trump and other Republicans over her immigration background and political views.
She has previously denied allegations of immigration fraud, describing them as politically motivated.
The search comes just weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, in which Omar is seeking re-election.
The timing has drawn criticism from senior Democrats, who questioned the decision to conduct such a high-profile investigation so close to the polls.
The Justice Department confirmed that the search was part of a federal criminal investigation but provided no further details.