US federal agents investigate Minneapolis childcare centres

December 30, 2025

Federal investigators are examining childcare facilities in Minnesota following viral allegations by a right-wing content creator claiming Somali-operated centers are fraudulently collecting government funds without actually providing childcare services. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a large-scale investigation into alleged childcare fraud, while state regulators who recently inspected the facilities in question found licensing violations related to safety and operations but no immediate evidence of financial fraud. The probe occurs amid the Trump administration's expanded immigration enforcement targeting Minnesota's substantial Somali community, which the President has publicly criticized.

Who is affected

Somali-run childcare centers in Minnesota
Somali immigrant community in Minnesota (the largest Somali population in the US)
Children and families using these childcare facilities
Minnesota state officials and regulators
Federal immigration enforcement agents
Democratic Governor Tim Walz and his administration
Childcare center operators whose facilities were featured in the viral video

What action is being taken

DHS immigration agents are conducting a massive investigation on the ground in Minneapolis into childcare and fraud
State officials are visiting sites featured in the video this week
The FBI is following the money and continuing their ongoing investigation into fraud in Minnesota
DHS has increased immigration enforcement in Minnesota

Why it matters

This investigation represents a convergence of fraud prevention, immigration enforcement, and political tensions. The scale of potential childcare fraud raises serious concerns about the misuse of public funds intended to support vulnerable families and children. The targeting of Minnesota's Somali community amid Trump's broader immigration crackdown creates questions about whether legitimate fraud investigations are being conflated with immigration enforcement actions. The situation also highlights tensions between federal and state authorities, with implications for how immigrant communities are treated and how fraud investigations are conducted without discriminatory targeting.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC