WASHINGTON, D.C.: With the Trump administration focusing on fraud investigations against Minnesota's Somali immigrants, the FBI Director Kash Patel noted on December 28 that the agency has increased investigative resources and personnel in the state.

Minnesota's Somali community has been portrayed as a hotspot for fraud involving millions of federal dollars intended for social services. Immigrant-rights advocates have accused the administration of using the fraud investigations as an excuse to target Somali immigrants.

The FBI declined to provide further details about Patel's comment. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Patel pointed to recent social media reports in Minnesota without giving details. His post on X came two days after an online video showed what were described as inactive daycare centres that had received public funding as part of a broader network of alleged fraud.

U.S. Representative Tom Emmer, a Republican from Minnesota, shared the video on social media and asked Governor Tim Walz to respond. Vice President JD Vance shared the report with his followers on X the following day.

CBS News reported that most people charged in major fraud cases recently announced in Minnesota are of Somali background, citing the U.S. Attorney's Office for Minnesota. The Minnesota Star Tribune said federal prosecutors and officials have clashed with state authorities in recent months over how the investigations were handled.

U.S. President Donald Trump, a Republican, has cited the investigations to criticise the Somali diaspora and Walz, who was the Democratic nominee for vice president in the 2024 election.Bottom of Form