Calls to denaturalize and deport Somalis for allegedly defrauding the government have swelled as Minnesota’s fraud crisis deepens.
Two federal agencies are “absolutely” taking steps toward revoking the citizenship of Somalis who have been convicted of fraud, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Dec. 31.
The Homeland Security and Justice departments are pursuing that type of action, Leavitt told “Fox and Friends.”
She was reacting to Rep. Tom Emmer’s (R-Minn.) Dec. 29 call for “denaturalization and deportation of every Somali engaged in fraud in Minnesota.”
Emmer, the GOP Majority Whip, hails from the state, which has gained national attention for its fraud crisis.
Since 2022, nearly 100 people, mostly of Somali descent, have been charged in various Minnesota fraud schemes.
Programs intended to provide meals, autism therapy, and housing assistance have been defrauded, authorities have said, leading to charges.
An additional major scandal is emerging over home health care, prosecutors announced after evidence was seized in mid-December. No charges have yet been filed.
Emmer’s call for deporting and denaturalizing Somali fraudsters followed FBI Director Kash Patel’s Dec. 28 statement that Somali fraud cases were “being referred to [immigration] officials for possible further denaturalization and deportation proceedings where eligible.”
Minnesota is home to about 60,000 Somalians, many of them refugees who came to the United States legally.
However, concerns about widespread immigration fraud among Somalis have also sparked investigations.
Other state and federal leaders said they support action against Somalis linked to fraud.
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), a former attorney general in his home state, said laws allow for arrests and immigration enforcement actions.
“Enough talk about Somali fraud. We need immediate action,” he wrote on X on Dec. 30.
“One, arrest all Somali fraudsters under 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (wire fraud). Two, immediately revoke all Somali fraudsters’ visas. Denaturalize where possible. Three, deport all eligible for deportation.”
In recent weeks, publicity has surged over Minnesota’s fraud cases. Federal prosecutors estimate the state’s total fraud for just 14 scrutinized Medicaid programs could exceed $9 billion. That’s a fraction of the total 87 Medicaid programs that the state runs.
Leavitt said she expects legal challenges to the administration’s efforts to further penalize Somali offenders.
“There are liberal activist judges across the country who will try to block and tackle this administration from pursuing justice at every turn,” she said.
“But that’s not going to stop the president and his entire Cabinet from acting on behalf of law-abiding, taxpaying citizens in the state of Minnesota and in states across the country.”
She said the Trump administration will not tolerate “people who abused our immigration system, came to our country, do not love our country or respect our values, and now have been ripping off and stealing money from law-abiding Americans.”
By Janice Hisle
