Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., plans to move out of her Washington, D.C., home after federal agents searched the residence last week, saying the attention surrounding the investigation has made her feel unsafe, the Associated Press reported.
In an interview with MS NOW on Wednesday (October 21), Omar said the search rattled her, and it took place less than a month before the November midterm elections.
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived with a warrant around 6 a.m. on Monday (October 12) and searched the home for four to five hours, according to the AP.
Agents seized 17 items, including phones, notebooks, a Somali-language children’s book and a vintage camera belonging to her husband, Omar said.
Federal authorities are investigating potential fraud involving her family’s immigration paperwork and have issued grand jury subpoenas to some of her relatives, a person briefed on the investigation told the AP.
The Justice Department has confirmed an ongoing criminal investigation but has released few details.
Omar arrived in the United States with her family at age 12 after they obtained asylum and became a U.S. citizen in 2000. Investigators are examining allegations that she misrepresented her age on immigration paperwork, which she denies.
“It would be a huge undertaking to, I suppose, indict a 12-year-old for so cleverly conspiring to defraud immigration services to come to the United States. I’m sure there are a lot of smart 12-year-olds, but that seems like a leap,” she said.
Former President Barack Obama criticized the investigation, warning that it could set a precedent for future administrations to target political opponents.
“Because if this becomes the new normal, there’s no reason to believe it will stop with her — or that future presidents, in either party, won’t do the same,” he wrote.
The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.