Immigration Agents Search Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's Washington DC Home

US immigration agents searched the Washington, DC, area home of Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar on Monday morning, October 12, 2026, as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents executed a judicially authorized search warrant. A US justice department spokesperson told the BBC that no further details were given regarding the investigation, though a BBC crew observed agents carrying boxes to a van at the residence. Al Jazeera also reported that US authorities searched the Democratic congresswoman's home as part of an undisclosed criminal investigation.

Fox News first reported the search, stating that the representative is being investigated over immigration paperwork filed by her late father when Omar was a child. This is not the first time her immigration records have been scrutinised; earlier this year, Congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina unsuccessfully filed a subpoena for her records. Last month, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin alleged marital fraud against Omar, while White House border tsar Tom Homan cited unspecified immigration violations. Omar, a Democrat, denied these allegations last month, calling them "complete shams" in a campaign fundraising email seen by the BBC.

Omar, first elected to Congress in 2018, is an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump and is running for reelection next month. Trump has previously suggested she "should go back" to Somalia and be deported, and last week wrote on social media that Minnesota "is being taken over by Somali immigrants." Omar described Trump's attacks as an "unhealthy and creepy obsession." Republicans, including Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer, celebrated the search, stating, "Nobody is above the law" and that "ACCOUNTABILITY IS COMING!"

Born in Somalia, Omar came to the US aged eight fleeing war. She is the first Somali-American elected to the US House of Representatives, representing a district in the Minneapolis area, and, with Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib, was one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Omar won the 2024 election with 74% of the vote. The search, occurring 22 days before the November midterm elections, is likely to raise concerns among Democrats given the justice department's longstanding policy against actions that could affect elections.

Editor's note: The report is comprehensive, accurately synthesizing the BBC source text with additional context while maintaining clear attribution.