Minneapolis Mayor Celebrates Somali Community Amid Fraud Concerns

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey recently expressed solidarity with the city’s Somali community, emphasizing their integral role in the city while celebrating Somali Independence Day. During his weekend remarks, Frey addressed community members as part of “our family,” acknowledging their contributions to Minneapolis.

This comes at a time when Minnesota faces scrutiny due to fraud investigations. A Republican-led House Oversight Committee report has criticized the administration of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for not addressing repeated warnings about fraud in the state’s social services programs.

“Through the most difficult times, when some tried to target us, we stood united,” Frey told the Somali community during the celebration. “You are not immigrants to us; you are family.”

The mayor also referenced Operation Metro Surge, an initiative from the Trump administration aimed at immigration and public safety in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. It concluded in February with over 4,000 arrests, allegedly reducing public safety threats according to border czar Tom Homan.

Mayor Frey emphasized the city’s appreciation for the Somali community’s resilience and leadership, sharing a message on social media celebrating Somali Independence Day.

Earlier, the House Oversight Committee report alleged that the Walz administration failed to act on multiple fraud warnings, including issues in the Feeding Our Future scandal. Over 110 individuals have been charged with fraud, some linked to the Somali immigrant community in Minnesota. The state’s inaction reportedly resulted in an estimated loss of $300 million in federal child nutrition funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these allegations, officials from the Walz administration have contested the committee’s findings.