More than 170 House Democrats are pressing the Department of Justice to abandon its investigation into Rep. Ilhan Omar’s immigration history after federal authorities raided her Washington, DC, residence this month. The demand arrived in a letter accusing federal law enforcement of political weaponization.

The letter was addressed to Attorney General Todd Blanche and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Pramila Jayapal of Washington led the Democratic effort defending the Minnesota congresswoman.

“We write to express our unequivocal opposition to your raid of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s home,” the lawmakers wrote. They said they were “profoundly alarmed” and demanded that federal authorities avoid further actions that could affect an upcoming election.

The Democrats argued that the raid occurred 22 days before an election and called the timing unprecedented and unacceptable. Their letter cited a Justice Department policy against taking investigative steps involving a candidate close to an election when delaying the action would not jeopardize the investigation.

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Omar is seeking reelection in Minnesota’s 5th congressional district. The lawmakers maintained that news of the search warrant could influence voters and claimed the investigation interfered with Minnesotans’ right to a free and fair election.

The letter also alleged that federal authorities were pursuing “a pre-determined political outcome rather than an objective pursuit of justice.” Democrats said the investigation reportedly involves immigration paperwork filed by Omar’s late father after she fled Somalia’s civil war at age eight.

According to the letter, Omar became a United States citizen at age seventeen. The lawmakers argued that paperwork filed by her father while she was a minor did not justify what they described as a pre-dawn raid on her home.

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The Democrats also cited reports that the first Trump Administration investigated the matter in 2019 and “ultimately determined there was insufficient evidence of wrongdoing.” They accused Trump administration officials of asserting that criminal activity occurred despite that reported determination.

Their letter pointed to remarks from Vice President J.D. Vance, who said Omar “definitely committed immigration fraud” and asked White House advisor Stephen Miller to “go after her.” It also cited Mullin saying last month that “something’s going to happen” with Omar.

The lawmakers further referenced a since-deleted social media post from Miller’s wife following the raid. The post said, “Promise made, promise kept.”

Jayapal told The New Republic that she is considering action against the Trump administration if Democrats capture the House majority after next month’s election. Her comments made clear that Democrats are not limiting their response to a strongly worded letter.

“We will actively and aggressively investigate this case,” Jayapal said. “We will probably have legislation to make sure there are no funds expended on this investigation.”

Raskin similarly suggested that Democrats could cut funding to certain agencies. Such a move would be intended to ensure that Congress had not approved money for the investigation involving Omar.

The Justice Department and Department of Homeland Security are investigating Omar’s immigration history in the United States. The probe reportedly concerns the years long allegation that the Somalia-born congresswoman married her brother, Ahmed Nur Said Elmi, to help him obtain immigration status in the United States.

In a recent court filing from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Omar was identified as “Ilhan Nur Said Elmi.” The filing suggested that federal prosecutors believe Omar shares the same last name as her former husband.

During an interview with MS NOW’s Chris Hayes last week, Omar was asked whether she was related to her former husband. Omar responded, “Not to my knowledge.”

Federal investigators reportedly took 17 items during the raid on Omar’s Washington, DC, home last week. They also collected DNA that they reportedly hope will establish that she committed immigration fraud.

Pirro’s office is separately investigating Omar for potential financial crimes, in addition to the immigration fraud case. The Biden administration investigated Omar’s finances after reports that she had accumulated a multimillion-dollar net worth.

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