Somali Fraud Fiasco

Once again, Minnesota has become the epicenter of a fraud scandal so massive that it defies belief—and once again, hardworking American taxpayers are left holding the bag.

As most Americans wrapped up Christmas with their families and began to prepare to ring in the new year, federal authorities confirmed that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), ICE, the FBI, and the Department of Justice are conducting a sweeping investigation into widespread fraud involving daycare centers in Minneapolis. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the probe as “massive,” and video released by ICE shows federal agents going door-to-door at multiple locations tied to the scheme.

The renewed scrutiny comes on the heels of a viral exposé by independent journalist Nick Shirley, who documented what appeared to be largely inactive daycare facilities that nevertheless received millions of dollars in taxpayer funds. One such center, reportedly funded to care for 99 children, displayed a misspelled sign reading “Quality Learing Center” and showed little evidence of legitimate operations, despite collecting roughly $4 million in taxpayer money.

This is not an isolated incident.

Minnesota is still reeling from an earlier fraud case totaling more than $250 million, and state officials now acknowledge that over $1 billion may have been lost to social services fraud in recent years, much of it concentrated in Minneapolis. According to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Department of Justice has already charged 98 individuals, 85 of Somali descent, with more prosecutions forthcoming. More than 60 have already been convicted.

Let that sink in. This isn’t a failure of compassion. It’s a failure of governance.

For years, Minnesota’s political leadership has embraced mass immigration while simultaneously gutting accountability, oversight, and enforcement. Programs meant to help children and families were transformed into cash machines for fraudsters who knew the system wouldn’t push back. And it didn’t, up until now.

Governor Tim Walz and his allies are facing mounting criticism for allowing this environment to flourish. Even federal officials have acknowledged that the fraud was so blatant it should have been caught long ago. As Shirley bluntly put it, “A kindergartner could figure out that there is fraud going on.”

The lesson here is unavoidable: mass immigration combined with weak enforcement creates ripe conditions for large-scale fraud. When governments prioritize ideology over accountability, taxpayers lose—and public trust collapses.

Texans should pay close attention.

This is exactly what Texans for Strong Borders has warned about for years. Open-border policies don’t just strain schools and hospitals. They invite corruption, reward bad actors, and siphon billions from citizens who work hard and play by the rules.

Enforcement after the fact is not enough. There are undoubtedly countless schemes like this happening in states besides Minnesota, and are being committed by immigrants from nations besides Somalia. The system itself must be fixed if we want to actually prevent this from continuing.

Americans deserve immigration policies rooted in the rule of law, strict oversight, and accountability. Anything less is an open invitation for the next billion-dollar scandal.