MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — President Donald Trump has connected the tightening of immigration policies by his administration to a series of fraud cases occurring in Minnesota, notably affecting the state’s Somali community.
Recently, Trump described Minnesota Somalis as garbage while expressing a desire to prevent their immigration to the U.S. His remarks come at a time when Minnesota’s Republican Party is intensifying attacks on Governor Tim Walz over the alleged failures to curb these fraud cases, which are already turning into a dominant issue in the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial race.
Minnesota boasts the largest Somali population in the U.S., with 84,000 individuals of Somali descent residing predominantly in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Most of these individuals are American citizens, prompting concern about the negative implications of linking criminal activities to an entire community.
The extent of fraud linked to programs designed to assist vulnerable populations has caught national attention, with prosecutors estimating losses of at least $1 billion across various cases, including one dubbed 'Feeding Our Future.' This program involved allegations that individuals misappropriated funds intended for feeding children during the pandemic.
As investigations unfold, it has been revealed that a significant portion of the defendants involved are of Somali descent. U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar called out the unfair targeting of the Somali community, stressing that it should not be blamed for the actions of a few. Omar expressed outrage over the potential ramifications of Trump's remarks and called for accountability if any fraud is indeed linked to terrorism.
While Trump’s comments have stirred controversy, authorities, including the Treasury Secretary, have yet to substantiate claims that the fraud proceeds are financing terrorism, indicating that comprehensive investigations are ongoing.
