MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — President Donald Trump has made explicit connections between his administration's immigration crackdown and a surge of fraud cases in Minnesota involving a significant number of individuals from the Somali community. His recent remarks, which labeled Minnesota Somalis as garbage, have exacerbated tensions and criticism towards the community.
The political landscape is intensifying as Republicans sharpen their attacks on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, amid ongoing investigations into fraud cases that have sparked national attention and raised questions about the administration's effectiveness in managing these issues.
Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the U.S., with approximately 84,000 residing in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Most are American citizens, with nearly 58% born in the U.S.
The Feeding Our Future case alone has been described by federal prosecutors as the country’s largest COVID-19-related fraud scheme, resulting in losses estimated at $300 million, with the total loss across multiple cases possibly exceeding $1 billion, as indicated by prosecutors.
These allegations have provoked outrage within the Somali community, as U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar has spoken out against the characterizations of her community, arguing that the actions of a few should not reflect on the entire group.
Despite Trump's claims, investigations have yet to substantiate allegations linking fraud proceeds to terrorism funding, a point emphasized by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
