Ilhan Omar's Lawyers Demand Return of Property Seized in Home Search

Lawyers for Democratic U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota have demanded that federal prosecutors return property seized during a search of her home in Washington, D.C. Al Jazeera

The demand came in a letter sent on Friday by attorneys Amy Jeffress and Joshua Matz. The letter, which was obtained by The Associated Press, asks for the return of the items and for authorities to preserve audio and video recordings from the search.

Federal agents searched Omar's home in northeast Washington on Monday as part of an investigation into alleged immigration fraud. Authorities took her phone and passport during the search.

The sealed warrant for the search listed conspiracy, false statements on immigration paperwork and immigration fraud as potential crimes. Reuters The investigation is examining decades-old immigration paperwork with an eye toward deportation.

Omar's legal team said the search violated safeguards designed to protect the constitutional rights of members of Congress. The lawyers said investigators did not provide a copy of the warrant in advance nor contact the House Office of General Counsel, the legal office for the House, disregarding orders from a magistrate judge.

Justice Department spokesperson Emily Covington said attorneys and law enforcement complied with all court orders. She described the lawyers' letter as riddled with false allegations and inaccuracies.

Authorities have issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas in the investigation, including to some of Omar's relatives. A grand jury is a panel that considers whether to bring criminal charges, and a subpoena is a legal order to testify or provide material.

Omar became a naturalised U.S. citizen in 2000 after fleeing Somalia with her family as a child.