Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised the city’s Somali community over the weekend, calling its members “our family” as Minnesota faces renewed political scrutiny over fraud investigations tied to state social services programs.
Frey made the remarks during a Somali Independence Day celebration, where he emphasized the community’s role in Minneapolis and said city leaders would stand with residents during difficult political moments. His comments came after a Republican-led House Oversight Committee report accused Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s administration of failing to respond quickly enough to warnings about alleged fraud in state-administered programs.
“In Minneapolis, we do not see you as immigrants,” Frey said in remarks shared publicly. “We see you as our family.” He also described Somali residents as brothers, sisters and contributors to the city’s cultural and civic life.
The comments appear to reference recent federal immigration and public-safety operations in Minnesota, including Operation Metro Surge, an initiative promoted by the Trump administration. Federal officials said the operation resulted in thousands of arrests in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and was aimed at reducing public-safety threats. Critics of the operation have argued that aggressive enforcement can create fear in immigrant communities, while supporters say it is necessary to enforce immigration law and address crime.
TRENDING TODAY
Frey’s remarks were also delivered against a politically sensitive backdrop. Minnesota has been under increased attention following investigations into alleged fraud involving public funds, including the high-profile Feeding Our Future case. Prosecutors have alleged that federal child nutrition money intended to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic was misused through fraudulent claims. More than 100 people have reportedly faced charges across related fraud cases, though individual defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted.
The House Oversight Committee report accused the Walz administration of ignoring repeated warnings and failing to act sooner. It also alleged that concerns over potential racial discrimination claims may have slowed the response to suspected fraud. Walz administration officials have disputed the report’s findings and have argued that the state has taken steps to investigate fraud and improve oversight.
The political challenge for Minnesota leaders is separating criminal allegations from community identity. Some defendants in fraud cases have been identified as members of Minnesota’s Somali immigrant community, but that does not mean the broader Somali community is responsible for alleged wrongdoing. Community leaders and civil-rights advocates often warn that broad political language can unfairly stigmatize immigrants who have no connection to any fraud investigation.
That distinction is especially important in Minneapolis, home to one of the largest Somali communities in the United States. Somali residents have played a major role in the city’s business, education, religious, cultural and political life. For many families, public comments connecting immigration, crime and fraud can feel personal, even when investigations are aimed at specific individuals or organizations.
At the same time, the fraud allegations raise real questions about government oversight and taxpayer accountability. Public benefit programs depend on trust, especially when they are designed to help children, low-income families or vulnerable communities. If funds were stolen or misused, taxpayers and eligible families deserve answers about how it happened and how future abuse can be prevented.
For Republicans, the issue has become part of a broader argument that Democratic leadership in Minnesota failed to protect public money. For Democrats and local officials such as Frey, the concern is that legitimate fraud investigations should not become a reason to target or demonize an entire immigrant community.
The situation also has implications for Gov. Walz, whose administration continues to face questions about when officials first learned of suspicious activity and whether stronger action could have prevented larger losses. Those questions are likely to remain part of state and national political debate, especially as immigration, crime and government spending continue to shape campaign messaging.
For ordinary residents, the issue touches several everyday concerns: whether taxpayer money is being protected, whether social programs are reaching people who need them, whether immigrant communities feel safe cooperating with local government, and whether political leaders can discuss fraud without fueling discrimination.
Some details remain disputed, including the full extent of state officials’ responsibility, how much fraud could have been prevented earlier, and what reforms are most effective. The legal process is also still important, because allegations against individuals and organizations must be tested in court.
Frey’s message was clear: Minneapolis should support its Somali residents while investigations continue. The harder question for Minnesota leaders is whether they can rebuild trust in public programs without allowing political fights to divide communities.
Why It Matters
The story sits at the intersection of immigration, public trust, taxpayer money and local politics. Fraud investigations require accountability, but political leaders also face pressure to avoid language that unfairly blames an entire community for alleged actions by individuals.
What Comes Next
Minnesota officials are likely to face continued questions about oversight of social services programs, while Republicans may keep pressing the Walz administration over the fraud report. Minneapolis leaders, meanwhile, are expected to continue defending the Somali community as an important part of the city’s identity.
Frey shared a Somali Independence Day message praising the community’s role in Minneapolis and Minnesota.
Happy Somali Independence Day!
Here in Minnesota, home to one of the largest Somali communities in the United States, we celebrate the resilience, culture, and leadership that continue to enrich our city and community. pic.twitter.com/RP7jlgO5ar
— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) June 28, 2026
