Homeland Security launches search on Ilhan Omar’s Washington DC home

Federal agents searched the Washington, D.C. area residence of Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) on Monday morning, October 12, 2026.

A Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson confirmed the action in a statement, noting that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the DOJ as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.

According to sources close to the investigation who spoke with media outlets, the search stems from a criminal fraud investigation into the Minnesota congresswoman's immigration paperwork. The documents in question reportedly date back to her childhood and were filled out by her late father when she was a child.

The search occurred early Monday morning around 6:00 AM local time. Reporters and political commentators noted the unusual timing of the enforcement action, given that it took place on a federal holiday and just weeks before the upcoming election, a period during which the DOJ typically avoids overt law enforcement actions involving candidates so as not to influence elections.

Rep. Omar has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime. It was initially unclear whether she was inside the home at the time the search warrant was executed.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is the criminal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security and maintains federal jurisdiction over immigration document fraud, identity fraud, and benefit fraud.

The enforcement action follows a history of public tension between Rep. Omar—a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Somalia who arrived in the U.S. as a child—and President Donald Trump. The administration has previously indicated focus on anti-fraud immigration efforts, with the president publicly calling for federal investigations into Omar's background earlier in the year. Rep. Omar has previously characterized the administration's focus on her as politically motivated.