Two nonprofit organizations, Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Services, have reportedly received at least $62 million aimed at developing the Somali community in Minnesota. This influx has contributed to the rise of political figures like Ilhan Omar and has sparked various fraud scandals in the state.
These groups have been pivotal in transforming Minnesota, benefiting from extensive government contracts that date back several decades.
Parker Thayer, an immigration expert from the Capital Research Center in Washington, D.C., remarked that the sums of government funds involved are massive, suggesting that numerous organizations are vying for their share. He pointed out that the financial resources going into resettlement programs in Minneapolis alone reach into the hundreds of millions.
Since 2021, it has been noted that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, which oversees Catholic Charities, has secured $140 million in federal contracts for migrant resettlement.
This situation may have repercussions for these organizations, Thayer observed. Fundraising for other, perhaps more critical areas of their work may be compromised, as many potential donors could be deterred by the controversies surrounding immigration policies.
Before its transformation into the primary hub for Somalis, Minnesota was known for its large Hmong population, which settled in the state due to a Vietnam-era resettlement initiative. Local historians attribute this shift to the efforts of then-Vice President Walter Mondale and Minnesota Governor Al Quie, who advocated for refugee resettlement after witnessing dire situations in Asian refugee camps.
Mondale’s advocacy for the Hmong people, who were recruited by the CIA during the Vietnam War, led to significant population growth in Minnesota’s Hmong community, starting with the arrival of Dang “Donald” Hawj and his wife in 1975.
In 1979, Mondale further advanced the cause by addressing the United Nations about international resettlement commitments, framing it in a moral context reminiscent of historical failures to protect Jewish refugees during World War II.
With the establishment of resettlement operations since World War II, both Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Services — now known as Global Refuge — emerged as key players in these efforts. However, during the war, they primarily relied on donations from the community rather than government funding.
Kelsey Reinhardt, the leader of CatholicVote, emphasized the need to recognize the extent of government generosity in supporting refugee resettlement. While acknowledging the church’s support for open migration policies, she also pointed out that the message of the gospel emphasizes the importance of maintaining national integrity.
Reinhardt posed challenging questions about national sovereignty and the capacity to assimilate newcomers effectively, especially in light of the civil war in Somalia that began in the 1990s, which initiated a surge of refugees into the U.S., particularly Minnesota.
Since 1993, the church groups have resettled around 29,000 Somali refugees, reportedly receiving about $2,500 per individual to assist with various costs, including food and housing. Currently, data suggests that the Somali population in Minnesota has grown to over 100,000, aided by family reunifications and the state’s robust welfare programs.
Thayer explained that these welfare policies made Minnesota an attractive destination for Somali refugees, many of whom came after initially being placed in other states.
He also highlighted concerns about the legitimacy of some individuals claiming refugee status, as their social media activity sometimes contradicts their claims of being in need.
The Biden administration has managed the largest increase in migrant resettlement in living memory, with Minnesota emerging as a focal point for these efforts. A staggering $9 billion in welfare fraud has been reported in the state, particularly linked to the Somali community, raising questions about the potential for misuse of the system.
Recently, federal immigration officials raided the home of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who represents an area with a significant Somali population, as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
Thayer expressed concerns about the consequences of settling large numbers of refugees in one area, suggesting that it fosters isolated ethnic enclaves which could lead to cultural tensions.
Catholic Charities Twin Cities announced the closure of its refugee and immigrant programs in 2018, and Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota has not yet responded to requests for further comments.
