Approximately 2,000 federal agents have been deployed to Minneapolis by the Trump administration for an immigration enforcement operation. This deployment coincides with heightened federal scrutiny of alleged child care and social services fraud in Minnesota, which has generated significant political conflict and community concerns. Federal child care funding for Minnesota has been frozen, and state officials have faced a deadline to provide specific financial data to federal authorities. Concurrently, incidents of federal law enforcement actions, protests, and related legal challenges have escalated in the Twin Cities.
Federal Deployment and Enforcement Actions
The Trump administration deployed approximately 2,000 federal agents, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol agents, to Minneapolis. DHS characterized this as its largest operation to date, stating its aim is to ensure safety and eradicate fraud. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commander Gregory Bovino, whose operations in other cities have drawn scrutiny, is among those deployed. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents are conducting a "large scale investigation on fraudulent daycare and healthcare centers, as well as other rampant fraud" in Minneapolis. DHS has reported over 10,000 arrests in Minnesota since the Trump administration took office and stated making over 1,000 arrests of individuals accused of serious crimes in connection with surging law enforcement.
Incidents and Protests
The increased federal presence has led to several incidents and protests. A federal officer shot a man in the leg during an attempted traffic stop. Separately, a fatal shooting involving an ICE officer and Renee Macklin Good occurred, which DHS stated was an act of self-defense; this explanation has been disputed by witnesses and Minneapolis' mayor.
Previous ICE operations in the Twin Cities, including a December deportation campaign following critical comments from President Trump regarding Somalis, have prompted expressions of fear and anxiety within the local Somali community, where a majority are U.S. citizens. Incidents included a masked federal agent tackling and detaining a 20-year-old American citizen of Somali descent, and an agent kneeling on a woman's back during an apprehension, which drew criticism from the Minneapolis police chief.
DHS reported difficulties booking hotel rooms for agents in Minneapolis, alleging that the hotel chain Hilton initiated a "coordinated campaign" to refuse service. Everpeak Hospitality, an independent operator of a Hampton Inn property, stated the incident was "inconsistent with our policy." Hilton's corporate statement noted the independent hotel's actions "were not reflective of Hilton values." The legitimacy of DHS-posted screenshots related to hotel cancellations has not been confirmed by Hilton or Everpeak Hospitality.
Child Care Fraud Allegations and Investigations
The recent focus on child care fraud intensified following a 43-minute video posted on YouTube on December 26 by conservative content creator Nick Shirley. The video, which gained significant viewership and was promoted by figures including Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk, alleged widespread fraud in Somali-run child care centers using federal funds. The video's claims were presented without detailed supporting evidence.
State and Federal Responses to Child Care Allegations
Minnesota state officials reported that on-site inspections of the child care centers featured in the video indicated they were operating as expected, with children present at all sites except one not yet open for the day. The state Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) confirmed 55 open investigations statewide involving providers receiving Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding, with four concerning centers mentioned in the video. Officials note that child care centers commonly maintain locked doors and restrict access to unannounced visitors, particularly those filming.
On December 30, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill announced the immediate freeze of all federal child care payments to Minnesota. The state typically receives approximately $185 million annually, supporting care for an estimated 19,000 children. O'Neill stated that funds would be released upon the state demonstrating legitimate expenditure and requested a "comprehensive audit" of the centers mentioned in the video from Governor Walz. Minnesota officials were given until January 9 to provide specific information to the Trump administration, including Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) payments and administrative data for recipients. HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary Andrew Nixon stated the freeze would remain until "additional verification" satisfactory to the federal government was provided. The Trump administration has withheld nearly $10 billion in federal funds for child care from five states; a federal judge temporarily blocked this action.
The FBI also confirmed sending additional resources to Minnesota, stating that addressing fraud affecting taxpayers and vulnerable children remains a priority.
Broader Social Services Fraud Investigations
Investigations into alleged fraud of state funds have been ongoing for years in Minnesota. In 2022, federal prosecutors initiated charges against dozens of individuals, predominantly of Somali descent, in connection with "Feeding Our Future," a nonprofit accused of falsely claiming to provide meals to needy children during the Covid-19 pandemic. The fraud's scale was estimated between $250 million and $300 million, described as the largest fraud from Covid-19 relief programs. Prosecutors alleged the nonprofit submitted fictitious records and engaged in a scheme to keep funds flowing. Most defendants in this case are American citizens.
Red flags regarding Feeding Our Future were reportedly present as early as 2018, and the IRS revoked the organization's nonprofit status in February 2020. The nonprofit subsequently threatened to sue the Minnesota Department of Education, which then approved its meal program applications. Auditors criticized the state for lacking investigative capabilities. The FBI learned of the fraud in February 2021 via a tip, leading to an investigation and federal indictments against 47 defendants. The alleged ringleader, Aimee Bock, was found guilty in March 2025 and ordered to forfeit assets.
In September 2025, the Department of Justice charged eight individuals with defrauding a Minnesota housing program and another for defrauding a healthcare program. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson indicated in December that potentially half or more of the approximately $18 billion in Medicaid funds supporting 14 Minnesota-run programs since 2018 may have been lost to fraud. Governor Walz disputed Thompson's estimations, stating they were "without the proof behind it."
Political Tensions and Responses
The situation has generated significant political tensions between the Trump administration and Minnesota's Democratic officials. President Trump has frequently issued criticisms of the Somali community, referring to them as "garbage" and stating they were "ripping off our country." He has also criticized Representative Ilhan Omar and discussed Somali pirates, while citing "astronomical" theft of government funds. The administration also announced plans to terminate temporary protected status for Somalis, which would require them to leave the U.S. by March 17.
Governor Walz's Actions and Political Future
Governor Tim Walz announced his withdrawal from the race for reelection, citing a need to focus on governing and addressing ongoing state and federal fraud investigations. He stated that "an organized group of political actors seeking to take advantage of the crisis" contributed to his decision. Walz expressed support for the federal investigation and disputed fraud estimations by federal prosecutors. He has faced calls for resignation from Republican lawmakers.
Walz appealed to the Department of Homeland Security to reduce its presence and encouraged Minnesotans to peacefully and legally record ICE activity to "create a database of the atrocities against Minnesotans" and "bank evidence for future prosecutions." An online form for sharing photos and videos of ICE activity has been established on the Minnesota Attorney General's website. Vice President JD Vance described Governor Walz as a "joke," while political science professor Michael Minta suggested Trump's actions were personal and aimed at pressuring Walz.
Other Democratic Responses
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated that Minnesota requires ICE to leave, emphasizing local law enforcement's focus on public safety. He described the administration's efforts as an "invasion." Attorney General Keith Ellison stated that President Trump was "clearly trying to create an excuse to invoke the Insurrection Act, but none exists." Ellison, along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed a lawsuit against the federal government to challenge ICE operations in the state. Minneapolis officials rejected the Trump administration's claims of fighting fraud as a "pretext," arguing that "randomly stopping people on the street and demanding their papers does nothing to combat fraud."
Insurrection Act Threat
President Trump stated his intent to invoke the Insurrection Act in response to tensions, citing a lack of cooperation from state leaders in addressing "professional agitators and insurrectionists" targeting ICE officers. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed discussions with the president regarding the act, affirming his constitutional authority to use it. House Speaker Mike Johnson commented that "Minnesota is out of control." The Pentagon placed 1,500 troops on standby, though Vice President Vance indicated immediate deployment was not necessary.
Community Impact and Related Incidents
The Twin Cities hosts the largest Somali diaspora in the U.S. Nearly 58% of Somalis in Minnesota were born in the U.S., and 87% of foreign-born Somalis in the state are naturalized U.S. citizens.
Representatives of the Somali community, including Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Minnesota chapter, assert that individuals charged with fraud do not represent the broader community, emphasizing that isolated instances of wrongdoing are often used to generalize negatively about an entire population. Hussein stated the Somali community is largely composed of working families, small business owners, healthcare workers, students, and taxpayers.
Following the viral video, at least one Somali-run daycare not featured in the video was reportedly broken into and vandalized. The Council on American Islamic Relations requested an investigation into potential bias, citing concerns about "anti-Somali, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim hate speech circulating online." The Minnesota DCYF reported that some licensed child care centers have received "harassing or threatening communications," and several child care providers reported an increase in disruptive calls. Musse Olol, president of the Somali American Council of Oregon, reported what he described as coordinated harassment against community businesses.
Public attention surrounding the Minnesota allegations has prompted similar actions by individuals in other states with notable Somali populations. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown have issued statements addressing misleading claims and cautioning against harassing child care providers.
Congressional Involvement
Congressional oversight has been initiated. Three Republican members of the Minnesota House of Representatives—Kristin Robbins, Walter Hudson, and Marion Rarick—testified before the Republican-led U.S. House Oversight Committee regarding "fraud and misuse of federal funds." Hudson stated his belief that Governor Walz was aware of the fraud as it occurred, and Robbins claimed Walz was aware of credible fraud reports "from the very beginning" in 2011. Robbins asserted the Walz administration "failed to protect Minnesota taxpayers." Republican committee members questioned whether the Walz administration might have overlooked the fraud for political gain, with Robbins, Hudson, and Rarick responding affirmatively, citing whistleblower reports.
Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer noted that 85 of the 98 individuals federally indicted in related cases are of Somali descent. He invited Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison to appear before the committee's investigative panel on February 10, stating they "have either been asleep at the wheel or complicit in a massive fraud." Republican members and witnesses denied "fake allegations of racism and Islamophobia" concerning fraud investigations and affirmed that "Crime is crime no matter who is committing it." Democratic members, including Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Dave Min, expressed concerns about xenophobia and racism, with Min describing the hearing as "partisan and racist." Rep. Kweisi Mfume accused members of xenophobia, stating discussions extended beyond the fraud investigation.
Legal Actions and Oversight
Congressional Democrats attempted to exercise oversight authority when Reps. Angie Craig, Kelly Morrison, and Ilhan Omar visited an ICE detention center outside Minneapolis, but were turned away after approximately 10 minutes. Representative Omar called the incident "a blatant attempt to obstruct members of Congress from doing their oversight duties." Under federal law and a recent D.C. federal court ruling, members of Congress have the right to make unannounced visits to ICE detention facilities. A January 8 memo from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem instructed staff that visits should be requested seven days in advance, a policy disputed by Representative Craig.
The Department of Justice has issued subpoenas to top Minnesota Democrats, including Walz and Frey, alleging conspiracy to impede federal law enforcement. These lawmakers have refuted the claims as political intimidation. Attorney General Ellison, along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed a lawsuit against the federal government to challenge ICE operations in the state.
Political Landscape and Context
Minnesota has not voted Republican in a presidential election for over half a century and has not elected a Republican governor in approximately 20 years. The state government is divided, with equal seats in the state House and a narrow Democratic majority in the state Senate. Republicans view Minnesota as an opportunity for political gains. Minnesota Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar is considering a gubernatorial run following Walz's decision. Upon taking office, the Trump administration pledged to reduce legal migration and deport individuals without legal status.