The home of US Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar in Washington, D.C., was searched early Monday by the investigative unit of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of a federal investigation, according to three sources familiar with the matter who spoke to CBS News.
The investigation reportedly focuses on Omar’s immigration documents, particularly paperwork completed by her late father during her childhood.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the criminal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, is leading the probe with assistance from the Department of Justice.
HSI investigates federal offences, including suspected immigration document fraud, identity fraud and immigration benefit fraud. Its work differs from ICE’s deportation-focused operations, as its special agents conduct criminal investigations and execute federal search warrants.
In a statement, the Justice Department confirmed that HSI had carried out a search under a warrant obtained by the department.
The statement described the operation as “part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
Omar, a Democrat representing Minnesota, has frequently been criticised by US President Donald Trump, making her a regular subject of political controversy.
The search also follows comments made in September by Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, who disclosed that Omar was the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation.
“I’m confirming that ICE is, yeah — look, I said months ago that there’s something that’s been reported and needs to be looked at,” Homan told Fox News in September.
Omar had previously said she had not been contacted regarding any investigation when she responded to the matter at the time.
The latest search marks a further development in the federal investigation, although the available information does not establish that Omar has committed any offence.
