The Somali fraud scandal continues to shake Minnesota politics as Gov. Tim Walz faces mounting scrutiny for pledging to bring more Somali migrants into the state while a massive welfare fraud scheme—carried out by Somalis living in Minnesota—unfolded under his administration. Speaking at a Tuesday fundraiser, Walz said, “We are going to defend our neighbors,” and added, “Instead of demonizing our Somali community, we’re going to do more to welcome more in.” His remarks have intensified public debate as federal prosecutors continue unraveling the Somali fraud, which reportedly totals hundreds of millions of dollars.
The scheme, much of which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, has only recently gained national attention. Critics argue the governor failed to implement oversight that could have prevented such widespread abuse. Walz has rejected that characterization. When pressed by NBC News’s Kristen Welker on the scandal, he responded, “I take responsibility for putting people in jail,” a comment that avoided acknowledging his administration’s regulatory lapses.
President Donald Trump has taken a sharply different position, announcing plans to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Somalis in Minnesota and calling for a full reexamination of Somali green-card holders. His stance underscores a widening policy divide as states and federal leaders weigh immigration enforcement against community relations.
Minnesota lawmakers from both parties have urged clearer answers about how the fraud went undetected for so long and whether the governor’s promise to “welcome more in” signals a disconnect from residents demanding accountability. As investigations continue, the political ramifications of the Somali fraud show no sign of dissipating.
