Immigration agents search congresswoman Ilhan Omar's home

ByKwasi Gyamfi Asiedu Reporting fromWashington.

Key points

• Separately, the White House's border tsar, Tom Homan, informed Fox News that Omar was being investigated for unspecified immigration violations.
• Last month, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin informed a conservative podcaster "something is going to happen", making allegations of marital fraud against Omar.
• Leading Democrats in the House of Representatives remarked in an official note that Omar had long been targeted with "vile personal attacks and baseless accusations" by Trump.
• Omar's communications director, Jacklyn Rogers, called Monday morning's raid "an outrageous abuse of power" by the Trump administration, and remarked the congresswoman "has done nothing wrong".
• Omar is the first Somali American elected to the House and she represents a district in the Minneapolis area.

US immigration agents have searched the home of Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar as part of a criminal investigation.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents "executed a judicially authorised search warrant" for the property in the Washington DC area, a US justice department spokesperson remarked.

Notably, the search "is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation", the spokesperson remarked, but no further details were given. The US Congress is at present out of session and it is unclear if Omar was at the home.

Omar, a Democrat and outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, described the search on social media as "an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement".

"For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns, " Omar remarked in the post.

"This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation. I will not be silenced."

While describing her as a "complainer" and a "terrible person", speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump remarked he had "nothing to do" with the justice department's investigation into Omar.

Notably, the Republican president remarked of the Somali-born congresswoman: She comes from a country that is a non-country.

"And then she comes over here and she complains about our Constitution."

Omar's communications director, Jacklyn Rogers, called Monday morning's raid "an outrageous abuse of power" by the Trump administration, and remarked the congresswoman "has done nothing wrong". The nature of the criminal investigation remains unclear.

Meanwhile, a BBC crew saw a number of agents at Omar's home, some carrying boxes to a van.

News of the search was first documented by Fox News. It stated the investigation was regarding immigration paperwork filed by her late father when Omar was a child.

Notably, the timing of the raid – 22 days before the November midterm elections. It will decide the balance of power in Congress for the next two years – triggered concern from Omar's fellow Democrats.

Notably, the justice department has a longstanding policy of refraining from most enforcement action that is "likely to raise an issue or the perception" it is being brought for the purpose of affecting any election or to disadvantage a candidate.

"Now, less than 30 days until the midterm election, his violent mass deportation machine has descended upon the home of a duly elected Member of Congress and her family, " they remarked.

Omar's immigration records have been scrutinised previously by Republicans. And earlier this year, a fellow congresswoman, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, unsuccessfully filed a subpoena for her records.

Separately, the White House's border tsar, Tom Homan, informed Fox News that Omar was being investigated for unspecified immigration violations. Omar denied these allegations last month.

"I will say it again so it's as clear as possible: I'm not at all worried about these investigations, because they are complete shams, " she remarked in a campaign fundraising email.

Trump has previously suggested that Omar "should go back" to Somalia and that she should be deported. US citizenship is required to serve as a member of the House.

Omar has responded to Trump's insults and attacks describing them as an "unhealthy and creepy obsession".

In practice, the president has additionally singled out the Somali-American community. Last week, he wrote on social media that Minnesota "is being taken over by Somali immigrants" and "the people of Minnesota must fight back". Some Republicans celebrated Monday's search.

"Nobody is above the law, " remarked Tom Emmer. This person additionally represents Minnesota in the House. "We look forward to learning more details regarding this raid and investigation. ACCOUNTABILITY IS COMING!"

Omar is the first Somali American elected to the House and she represents a district in the Minneapolis area. She and Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib were the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Omar won re-election two years ago with 74% of the vote. Senior political leaders in Minnesota have criticised the search.

Governor Tim Walz, a fellow Democrat, remarked: "Americans see this for what it is – President Trump is abusing his power to go after political opponents weeks before an election."

Minnesota Senator Tina Smith called it "a transparent attempt to interfere in our elections". Extra reporting by Ione Wells.

In short, immigration agents search congresswoman Ilhan Omar' s home is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.