Federal investigators are examining Representative Ilhan Omar’s decades-old immigration records as part of an inquiry that led to a predawn search of her home, according to three people familiar with the investigation cited by Reuters.
The inquiry appears to concern whether Omar or members of her family provided false information during their arrival as refugees in the mid-1990s or the subsequent citizenship process.
One source said a potential objective could be to seek the removal of Omar’s US citizenship and her eventual deportation. That is a possible investigative aim described by a source, not an announced decision or court order.
Omar has denied wrongdoing and characterized the search as political intimidation. reuters.com
Sealed Search Warrant Reportedly Lists Immigration-Related Offenses
According to one person familiar with the matter, the warrant for Monday’s search identified conspiracy, false statements on immigration paperwork and immigration fraud as potential offenses under investigation.
The sources spoke anonymously because the inquiry is ongoing.
The supplied report does not establish that prosecutors have proved those allegations. A search warrant authorizes an investigative step; it is not a finding of guilt.
Evidence Supporting the Search Remains Unclear
Reuters reported that it was unclear what evidence prosecutors presented to the federal magistrate judge who approved the search.
Because the warrant materials remain sealed, the public cannot independently assess the full basis for the investigative action from the information provided.
Agents Seized Phone and Prosecutors Issued Subpoenas, Sources Say
Two sources told Reuters that agents from Homeland Security Investigations, a branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, seized Omar’s personal cellphone during the search.
They also said federal prosecutors issued more than a dozen subpoenas, including one to at least one relative.
Another person familiar with the investigation said one of Omar’s sisters spoke voluntarily with federal agents.
These reported actions indicate that investigators are seeking information beyond the government’s existing immigration files. They do not establish what that information contains or whether it supports an allegation.
Omar Denies Wrongdoing as Timing Draws Scrutiny
Omar, a Minnesota Democrat who has served in Congress since 2019, rejected the investigation’s premise and described the search as an effort to intimidate her politically.
The action occurred approximately three weeks before an election in which she is seeking to retain her seat.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Omar, and both he and his homeland security chief have previously raised the prospect of taking away her citizenship or deporting her.
Concerns About Political Motivation Remain Contested
The circumstances have renewed concerns that federal investigative powers are being used against an administration critic.
Those concerns form part of the political controversy surrounding the case. The supplied report does not establish investigators’ motives or resolve the underlying allegations.
A spokesperson for Omar had no immediate additional comment in response to Reuters.
Justice Department Declines to Discuss the Specific Case
The Department of Homeland Security referred questions to the Justice Department.
A DOJ spokesperson declined to comment on the Omar investigation but issued a broader statement saying citizenship must be obtained lawfully and honestly. The spokesperson said the administration would investigate cases where the facts support denaturalization.
That general statement did not identify evidence against Omar or confirm whether the government intends to bring a citizenship case.
Former Officials Describe the Search as Unusual
Former immigration officials told Reuters that denaturalization investigations have historically been rare and that search warrants are particularly unusual in such cases.
Their explanation was that the government would ordinarily already possess the immigration records relevant to reviewing citizenship.
Kerry Doyle, a former deputy general counsel at DHS during the Biden administration, said the cases she encountered generally involved serious crimes or grave international human rights violations.
Her comments describe past experience, rather than a legal determination about the current inquiry.
News Organizations Seek Access to Court Records
A coalition of 14 news organizations, including Reuters, asked a federal judge on Thursday to unseal records connected with the search.
Access to those materials could clarify the investigation’s scope and the evidence presented in support of the warrant, subject to any restrictions imposed by the court.
For now, significant details remain unavailable. The reported investigation, the possible citizenship challenge and Omar’s denial should therefore be understood separately from any future prosecutorial decision or judicial finding.