Call for Deportation Amid Minnesota Fraud Scandal
Republican House Majority Whip Tom Emmer has urged for the denaturalization and deportation of individuals of Somali descent connected to a significant fraud scandal in Minnesota. This scandal involves allegations totaling billions of dollars.
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are increasing their efforts to investigate these wide-ranging fraud claims, which have gained national attention in a state that hosts the largest Somali community in the U.S.
According to Attorney General Pam Bondi, of the 98 individuals charged in this case thus far, 85 are of Somali origin. The scheme reportedly involved serious misconduct related to food, housing, and childcare programs.
Emmer expressed his stance clearly: “I have three things to say about the Somalis who defrauded American taxpayers: Bring them home,” he stated in a social media post.
He further explained, “If they’re in the country illegally, we’ll deport them right away. If they’re naturalized citizens, we’ll strip them of their citizenship and then deport them right away. If we have to change the law to do that, I’ll do it,” reinforcing his position as a prominent Republican voice in the House.
Emmer added, “Our country will not tolerate those who take advantage of our charity and refuse to assimilate into our culture.” He also mentioned concerns about naturalized Somalis with potential connections to terrorist groups, asserting that they should face similar consequences.
Despite these severe allegations, none of those charged have faced charges related to financing terrorism. Former U.S. Attorney Andy Lugar noted that the individuals involved seemed more focused on personal enrichment rather than supporting terrorist activities.
The fraud scheme is estimated to have led to the theft of nearly $9 billion, as indicated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson. This situation raises concerns, as it’s suggested that over half of the $18 billion allocated for Medicaid-funded programs could have been lost to fraudulent activities.
In one specific case, 78 individuals have been indicted, marking it as the largest pandemic relief scam in the nation, according to federal prosecutors. Local lawmakers have criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, accusing him of ignoring the fraud taking place in his state.
