In a letter sent to federal prosecutors on Friday and obtained by the Associated Press, Omar's attorneys Amy Jeffress and Joshua Matz challenged an investigation into the congresswoman's immigration history. "The political motivations behind this pre-election investigation and search are clear as day," the lawyers wrote. "This search was neither justified nor lawful."
Federal agents searched Omar's home on Monday as part of an investigation into alleged immigration fraud. Authorities seized her phone and passport, and have issued more than a dozen grand jury subpoenas, including to some of her relatives, according to The Washington Post.
Omar's lawyers claim investigators did not provide a copy of the warrant in advance or contact the House of Representatives' Office of General Counsel, disregarding the magistrate judge's orders. They argued the investigation is politically motivated due to its proximity to the November midterm elections.
"Historically, the Department has refrained from this type of investigative activity so close to an election, so as to avoid even the appearance of politically motivated law enforcement actions," the letter stated. The lawyers also demanded authorities preserve audio and video recordings from the search.
The Justice Department rejected the accusations. "Our attorneys and law enforcement partners complied with all court orders and legal obligations, as they always do," spokesperson Emily Covington said, describing the letter as "riddled with false allegations and inaccuracies."
Omar, a naturalised US citizen who fled Somalia with her family as a child, has previously rejected allegations concerning her citizenship.