Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota said Wednesday that she will leave her Washington residence after federal agents searched the home earlier this month as part of an immigration investigation. Omar cited safety concerns for her family, and the decision renews attention on a criminal inquiry focused on immigration paperwork filed when she was a child.
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived at the home around 6 a.m. on October 12, according to officials. They executed a judicially authorized warrant obtained through the Justice Department. Omar said during a Wednesday interview that the search lasted four to five hours. She described the agents as “intrusive but polite” while recounting the events to interviewer Chris Hayes. Her husband and adult son were reportedly inside the home when the agents arrived.
Omar said the publicity surrounding the search exposed her address and intensified fears for her family’s safety. She said she has received death threats and is particularly worried about children who visit the Washington home. Moving out does not mean she is leaving Congress or ending her reelection campaign.
A Probe Into Immigration Records
Investigators have not publicly established that Omar committed immigration fraud or any other crime. Reuters reported that investigators were examining whether Omar or family members provided false information during immigration proceedings. Omar was born in Somalia and came to the United States with her family at about age twelve. She became a naturalized American citizen in 2000, years before she won election to Congress.
Sources told Reuters that the sealed warrant referenced possible conspiracy, false statements, and immigration fraud. A search warrant authorizes investigative activity, but it does not establish guilt or guarantee charges.
Omar rejected any allegation of wrongdoing during the televised interview. She said she was “confident in the fact that I didn’t do anything wrong.” She has argued that the investigation grows out of long-running political attacks against her, and she has previously described the search as an attempt to “target political enemies” through federal law enforcement. After the agents arrived, she declared, “I will not be silenced.”
Trump and the White House Respond
President Donald Trump denied directing the search when reporters asked him about it. He said he had “nothing to do” with the operation and referred questions to Justice Department officials. He also criticized Omar, calling her “totally crooked” and a “terrible person.” Those remarks reflect Trump’s personal accusations rather than judicial findings or proven misconduct.
Omar has frequently challenged Trump’s immigration policies, enforcement priorities, and rhetoric about refugees. Trump and other Republicans have questioned her background and criticized her positions on border security. Administration officials maintain that federal investigators can examine suspected immigration fraud regardless of a suspect’s political profile.
Homeland Security Investigations handles complex criminal cases involving immigration documents, identity fraud, and cross-border offenses. Its work differs from routine immigration enforcement and removal operations. White House border adviser Tom Homan earlier confirmed an ongoing investigation involving allegations connected to Omar. He later said the details should be addressed by leaders at the Justice Department and Homeland Security.
Political Reaction Ahead of the Midterms
Congressional Democrats condemned the search and warned of possible political retaliation ahead of the November midterms. House Democratic leaders called the operation troubling and questioned the administration’s use of federal authority. Their criticism, however, does not resolve the factual questions investigators are examining.
Republicans have argued that transparency and consistent enforcement are essential when allegations involve elected federal officials. Any prosecution, they note, would require admissible evidence and legal proceedings rather than public suspicion alone.
Omar is seeking reelection in Minnesota’s heavily Democratic Fifth Congressional District, which is centered on Minneapolis. The district’s political makeup would make a Republican victory in the general election difficult, regardless of the controversy. The search took place only weeks before the November 3 election, drawing scrutiny to the timing of the investigative activity. Omar said she intends to keep campaigning and serving her constituents while disputing the allegations against her.
