Federal agents conducted a predawn raid on the home of Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar in the United States to investigate potential immigration fraud. A sealed warrant for Monday's search identified conspiracy, false statements on immigration paperwork, and immigration fraud as potential crimes.
Homeland Security Investigations agents seized Omar's personal cell phone during the operation. More than 12 subpoenas were issued by federal prosecutors, including at least one directed to a relative of Omar.
A sister of Ilhan Omar spoke voluntarily with federal agents during the investigation. The Department of Homeland Security referred questions regarding the probe to the Justice Department.
A spokesperson for the DOJ stated that US citizenship "must be obtained lawfully and honestly" and noted the Trump administration would investigate cases supporting denaturalisation. The DOJ has filed at least 164 denaturalisation cases during the second term of Trump, a significant increase from an average of 11 cases per year between 1990 and 2017.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin suggested that deportation could be a possibility for Omar's family. Omar became a naturalised citizen in 2000 after her family fled civil war in Somalia to arrive in the United States in 1995.
A coalition of 14 news organisations asked a federal judge on Thursday to unseal records related to the search. US Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh ordered screening procedures to prevent the review of material related to legislative acts.
