US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has announced plans to move out of her Washington, DC, residence after federal investigators searched the property for several hours, raising concerns about her personal safety.
Omar disclosed her decision during an interview with MS NOW on Wednesday, marking her first public comments on the operation. She said the experience had left her uncomfortable remaining in the house.
Federal agents searched the property last week under a judicially authorised warrant, according to a spokesperson for the US Department of Justice. The department said the operation was connected to an ongoing criminal investigation but did not provide further details about the case.
NBC News reported that possible charges under consideration could involve conspiracy and allegedly providing false information in immigration documents. Omar has denied any wrongdoing, describing the investigation as an attempt at political intimidation.
Recounting the incident, the Minnesota Democrat said she was awakened at about 6am by Department of Homeland Security investigators knocking loudly on her door. The search reportedly lasted between four and five hours, during which agents seized 17 items.
The materials taken included mobile phones, notebooks, a children’s book written in Somali and a vintage camera reportedly given to her husband as a gift.
Omar, who was born in Somalia, arrived in the United States with her family at the age of 12 after they were granted asylum. She became a US citizen in 2000, five years after arriving in the country.
Defending her immigration history, the congresswoman questioned the suggestion that she could have deliberately participated in an immigration-related scheme when she was a child. She maintained that she was confident she had committed no offence.
The search has also triggered criticism from congressional Democrats, who questioned the operation’s timing ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. However, the available information does not establish whether the search was politically motivated, while the federal investigation remains ongoing.
