Federal investigators in the United States have reportedly seized Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar’s personal mobile phone and issued more than a dozen subpoenas as part of an investigation into possible irregularities in her immigration and naturalisation records.
The developments follow a search of Omar’s Washington, D.C., home on Monday, 12 October 2026, approximately three weeks before the US midterm elections scheduled for 3 November.
According to Reuters, citing people familiar with the investigation, federal authorities are examining allegations concerning information provided during immigration and citizenship proceedings involving Omar and members of her family.
Omar has denied wrongdoing and accused the Trump administration of using federal law enforcement to intimidate political opponents.
Federal agents seize phone and issue subpoenas
The seizure of Omar’s phone was also reported by the Associated Press, citing a person briefed on the investigation.
More than a dozen subpoenas have reportedly been issued in connection with a grand jury investigation in Minnesota, including at least one involving a relative of the congresswoman.
A grand jury can gather testimony and documents to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to support criminal charges.
However, the issuance of subpoenas does not establish that any person has committed an offence.
Reuters also reported that a sealed search warrant identified conspiracy, immigration fraud, and false statements in immigration documents among the potential offences under investigation.
Those references describe the reported scope of the inquiry. They do not mean Omar has been charged with, or found guilty of, any of the offences.
The authorities have not publicly disclosed the full evidence supporting the investigation.
Investigation examines immigration and citizenship records. Omar was born in Somalia and arrived in the United States as a refugee in 1995. She became a naturalised American citizen in 2000.
The investigation reportedly concerns information associated with her family’s immigration history and subsequent citizenship proceedings.
Investigators are examining whether inaccurate information was provided during those processes, although the specific evidence underpinning the allegations has not been made public.
Reuters reported that officials were also considering whether any findings could have implications for Omar’s citizenship status.
However, no revocation of citizenship or deportation order has been announced.
Any attempt to revoke citizenship would require a separate legal process and would not follow automatically from a criminal investigation.
The reported search and subpoenas therefore represent investigative steps, not proof of wrongdoing or a final determination of Omar’s immigration status.
Omar rejects allegations and questions political motives.
Omar, who represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District, has rejected the allegations and described the investigation as political intimidation.
The congresswoman has frequently criticised President Donald Trump and his administration’s immigration policies.
She has also faced repeated criticism from Trump and other Republican figures.
The Justice Department previously confirmed that Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a judicially authorised search warrant as part of an ongoing federal investigation.
However, the department did not publicly identify the specific offences under examination in its initial statement.
Trump has denied directing the search, while Omar and other Democratic figures have questioned whether the investigation is politically motivated.
Neither the President’s denial nor the allegations of political interference independently establishes why investigators undertook the operation.
Search raises concerns ahead of Midterm Elections
The timing of the search has attracted attention because Omar is seeking re-election in November.
Democratic leaders have raised concerns about the use of federal investigative powers against a sitting lawmaker during an election campaign.
The Associated Press has reported on the political reaction to the search and the questions it has raised about the independence of federal law enforcement.
The Justice Department has longstanding policies intended to prevent investigative actions from improperly influencing elections.
Such guidance reflects the importance of maintaining public confidence in the fairness and independence of law enforcement.
However, conducting a judicially authorized search close to an election does not automatically make the operation unlawful.
Any finding of improper political influence would require evidence about the decisions taken by investigators and officials.
Investigation Remains Unresolved
The reported seizure of Omar’s phone and the issuance of subpoenas indicate that investigators are continuing to gather evidence.
Nevertheless, important questions remain unanswered, including the full scope of the inquiry, the evidence obtained, and whether prosecutors will pursue criminal charges.
No public finding of criminal wrongdoing by Omar has been established.
The investigation has also not resulted in any announced revocation of her American citizenship.
For now, the case remains an ongoing federal inquiry, with its legal outcome and the allegations of political interference still unresolved.
