Federal agents search US representative Ilhan Omar’s home in criminal investigation

Federal agents searched the Washington, DC, home of Democratic US Representative Ilhan Omar early Monday as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, according to the US Department of Justice.

Agents from Homeland Security Investigations, the investigative division of the Department of Homeland Security, carried out the search under a judicially authorized warrant obtained by the Justice Department.

The department confirmed the operation but did not publicly disclose the nature or scope of the investigation.

Sources familiar with the case said investigators were examining possible immigration fraud involving documents submitted on behalf of Omar and her family when she arrived in the United States as a child refugee from Somalia.

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The investigation has also renewed attention to longstanding, unsubstantiated allegations concerning Omar’s marriage in 2009, including claims that she married her brother to facilitate his immigration status.

Omar has repeatedly denied those allegations, describing them as “disgusting lies” and accusing Republican opponents of using them to discredit her politically.

Her office rejected the accusations and condemned the search, maintaining that the congresswoman had committed no wrongdoing.

Omar also characterised the operation as politically motivated, accusing the Trump administration of using federal law enforcement to intimidate political opponents.

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