Federal authorities seized Rep. Ilhan Omar’s phone and subpoenaed some of her relatives in a criminal investigation into alleged fraud involving her immigration paperwork, The Associated Press reported. Omar was seeking reelection as the midterms drew near.
The Associated Press cited a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. Federal authorities issued the subpoenas as part of a grand jury probe, according to the report.
The New York Times reported that Sahra Noor, Omar’s sister, and at least one other family member received a subpoena. The reported investigation extends beyond Omar to relatives who received legal demands.
Federal Enforcement
On Monday, Homeland Security Investigations agents searched Omar’s home in Washington, D.C. The agency serves as the investigative arm of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The investigation began roughly a month after White House border czar Tom Homan confirmed a federal criminal investigation involving Omar. The report identifies the alleged subject as fraud involving her immigration paperwork. It doesn’t report a finding that she committed fraud.
Omar became a U.S. citizen in 2000. As a child, she came to the United States with her family from Somalia, where they sought asylum during the country’s civil war. The war caused widespread displacement.
Omar’s Response
Omar called the investigation “political intimidation” in a statement on X. She said the Trump administration was targeting political enemies and weaponizing federal law enforcement.
“For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation,” she wrote Monday. “I will not be silenced.”
Trump and Republican lawmakers have previously made claims about Omar’s immigration status and accused her of fraud. Omar has repeatedly denied all allegations.
The reported account centers on a federal investigation and allegations about immigration paperwork. It doesn’t identify a financial beneficiary or a company involved, and it reports no finding that Omar gained financially.
Election Timing
Omar was seeking reelection with less than three weeks remaining before the midterms, according to the report. The Justice Department doesn’t typically take major action against candidates in the 60 days before an election.
Authorities seized Omar’s phone, subpoenaed relatives, and searched her home, the reported account says. It doesn’t say authorities had filed charges or announced a conclusion to the investigation.
The investigation remained ongoing, according to the account. Omar denied the allegations, while federal authorities pursued the grand jury probe as voters approached an election in which she was seeking reelection.
- ilhan omar
- federal investigation
- grand jury
- immigration fraud
- homeland security investigations
- sahra noor
- washington dc
- subpoena