Some Somali immigrants claim Minnesota’s economy would struggle without them, even as reports of welfare fraud among Somalis continue to rise.
Recently, Minnesota has faced notable welfare fraud incidents, leaving Democratic Governor Tim Walz in a tough position. A significant portion of this multibillion-dollar fraud is linked to Somali immigrants, who have been settling in the state since the 1990s.
Despite this, a state legislator believes that Minnesota relies heavily on its Somali community.
“We’re present in every industry, and without the Somali community, Minnesota would not survive or prosper,” said Democratic Senator Zainab Mohamed, who was elected in 2023.
In an interview, Mohamed categorized the criticism directed at Somali immigrants as racial bias and suggested that if Somalis were to leave, detractors would simply target another minority group.
Interestingly, Mohamed has also been vocal against U.S. immigration laws, criticizing Donald Trump for what she views as authoritarian and racist sentiments concerning deportations of undocumented individuals.
In a recent statement, Mohamed described Trump as “dishonest,” expressing surprise at the nature of his actions post-statements.
At a Minnesota Democratic Party event, she remarked that Trump’s immigration policies aren’t truly about safety, but rather about excluding individuals like herself from the nation.
Interestingly, Mohamed’s defense of the Somali community contrasts with findings from citizen journalist Nick Shirley, who uncovered numerous Somali-run childcare facilities in Minneapolis that, despite receiving large state funding, showed no children in their care.
However, Mohamed is not alone in her advocacy for the Somali community in Minnesota.
During his campaign for Minneapolis mayor, her brother-in-law Omar Fateh claimed that white individuals posed a risk to America.
Another voice from the community, elementary school principal Salma Hussein, pointed out the need to prove legal residency in Minneapolis, asserting that Somali-Americans are making valuable contributions throughout society.
A Somali immigrant who became county sheriff also claimed that his duty is towards Somalis, not necessarily Americans.
On social media, another Somali individual admonished Americans for their concerns regarding fraud, insisting that the U.S. should appreciate Somali successes in Minnesota.
Suleiman Adan, from the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, stated that Somali people are an integral part of Minnesota, equating their presence to essential state traditions.
At a community gathering, local Somali officials contended that Minnesota is their home now.
Additionally, the Minneapolis Star Tribune claimed that Somalis contribute about $8 billion to Minnesota’s economy. Yet, some argue that this contribution seems insignificant when weighed against allegations of $18 billion in fraud.
Reports indicate that over 80% of Somali refugees are enrolled in some form of government assistance. From 2019 to 2023, about 36% of Somali Minnesotans lived in poverty—significantly above the national rate—and the median income for Somali households is much lower than the national average.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who recently faced a tight election, affirmed that the Somali community is largely composed of American citizens who contribute positively to the city.
Conversely, Governor Tim Walz maintains that Minnesota benefits significantly from the Somali population.
Some Somali immigrants assert that they leverage government benefits to the fullest.
Yet, the issue of crime and fraud raises concerns. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a well-known former refugee from Somalia, warned that only through genuine assimilation can the challenges stemming from the integration of Somalia’s entrenched clan politics be addressed.
“I grew up in a clan society in Somalia… where loyalty to family was paramount. Loyalty to the nation was often a mere formality,” she noted in a recent opinion piece.
