US immigration authorities raid Minnesota home of Rep. Ilhan Omar, Trump critic

WASHINGTON, DC (US), 13 OCTOBER 2026 —

US immigration raid on Ilhan Omar’s home escalates political warfare ahead of midterms

The operation, conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) under a judicially authorized search warrant, marks the latest escalation in a years-long campaign by former President Donald Trump to politically weaponize law enforcement against his critics, with the probe now unfolding just weeks before the November 3 midterm elections.

Omar, a Somali-born progressive and one of the most vocal Democratic opponents of Trump, dismissed the raid as a politically motivated attack, calling it "the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation." The Justice Department’s timing—less than three weeks before voters decide control of Congress—has reignited accusations of electoral interference, with Democrats warning that the Trump administration is weaponizing federal agencies to silence political opponents.

Republicans, meanwhile, have remained largely silent, with one lawmaker defending the investigation as a matter of legal accountability.

The raid stems from an ongoing federal probe into Omar’s immigration history, specifically paperwork filed by her late father when she was a child. A person familiar with the investigation confirmed to Reuters that the case centers on potential immigration fraud, though no charges have been filed. The Justice Department spokesperson announced the operation in a statement, describing it as part of an "ongoing federal investigation" without further details.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, a Trump appointee, had previously signaled aggressive action against Omar, telling a conservative podcaster last month that her family’s entry into the US would be scrutinized and that she could face deportation if fraud were proven.

The investigation’s origins trace back to Trump’s presidency, when his administration launched a broader crackdown on immigration enforcement, including probes into the citizenship and residency of high-profile critics. Omar, who won reelection in 2024 by a 50-point margin in her safe Democratic district, has long been a target of Trump’s rhetoric, with the former president repeatedly labeling her and other Muslim lawmakers as threats to national security.

In February, Trump called for Omar and Representative Rashida Tlaib to be "institutionalized" and sent back to "where they came from," remarks that civil rights groups condemned as inflammatory. Omar herself has described Trump’s fixation on her as an "unhealthy and creepy obsession," noting that she and her family have faced death threats linked to his rhetoric.

The Justice Department’s decision to proceed with the raid so close to Election Day has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders, who accused the Trump administration of violating long-standing ethical guidelines against politicizing law enforcement.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other party officials condemned the operation as "deeply disturbing," warning of a "rogue abuse of power." Minnesota Governor Tim Walz echoed the sentiment, calling the raid an "abuse of power" by Trump ahead of the election. Republicans, however, have largely refrained from public comment, with only Representative Nancy Mace breaking ranks to defend the investigation, stating that if fraud were proven, Omar should face denaturalization.

Legal experts have questioned whether the raid adheres to Justice Department protocols, which historically avoid high-profile investigative actions within 60 days of an election to prevent perceptions of interference. George Washington University law professor Randall Eliason, a former public corruption prosecutor, noted that while the department’s policy discourages such timing, enforcement is nonexistent. "The idea is to avoid even the appearance of interference," Eliason said.

"But they’ve shown they don’t care about politicizing the Justice Department in many other ways." The investigation reportedly received approval from the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section, though its authority has been significantly curtailed under Trump, reducing its staff to just two lawyers.

The raid follows a pattern of the Trump administration targeting political adversaries, including former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and national security adviser John Bolton. Bolton pleaded guilty to charges related to his book manuscript and is set to be sentenced this month, while cases against James and Comey were dismissed by federal judges.

Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Adam Schiff and Federal Reserve officials, have also faced scrutiny in separate probes. Civil rights advocates have warned that the crackdown reflects a broader strategy to intimidate minorities and immigrants, particularly in communities like Minnesota’s Somali population, which Trump has repeatedly demonized.

Omar’s response to the raid was swift and defiant. On social media, she accused the government of being "weaponized" against her, framing the operation as part of Trump’s decade-long smear campaign. "For ten years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns," she wrote. "This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation.

I will not be silenced." The raid also comes amid heightened tensions over immigration policy, with Trump’s administration pushing for mass deportations and stricter enforcement measures. In Minnesota, where Omar represents a district with a large Somali-American community, the operation has sparked outrage, with local activists rallying in her support.

As the midterms approach, the investigation’s outcome remains uncertain, though legal experts suggest that any potential charges would face significant scrutiny given the timing and political context. The Justice Department’s decision to proceed with the raid—despite ethical concerns—underscores the deepening polarization in US politics, where law enforcement actions are increasingly viewed through the lens of partisan warfare.

With Trump’s allies in Congress seeking to retain control of the House, the probe into Omar’s immigration history may serve as a test of whether the Justice Department will prioritize legal accountability or political expediency in the final stretch before Election Day.

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