Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday announced that she is surging federal agents from her department to investigate suspected fraud sites in Minnesota.
The agents are “conducting a massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud,” she said in a statement to X.
For months, Minnesota has been under Washington’s scrutiny due to accusations that the state has allowed sweeping fraud schemes to corrupt publicly funded programs, stealing roughly $1 billion in taxpayer dollars. The FBI and the Education, Labor, and Housing and Urban Development departments are among the agencies now investigating the fraud reports.
This week, Noem posted a video of agents from the Homeland Security Investigations unit, which is part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as they investigated businesses in Minnesota suspected of funneling state funds for nefarious purposes.
“DHS is on the ground in Minneapolis, going DOOR TO DOOR at suspected fraud sites,” read a post from the DHS accompanying another video depicting federal agents questioning businesses. “The American people deserve answers on how their taxpayer money is being used and ARRESTS when abuse is found.”
The development comes after the FBI on Sunday became the latest agency to expand staff and “investigative resources” to Minnesota as the fraud scandal grips the state.
“Fraud that steals from taxpayers and robs vulnerable children will remain a top FBI priority in Minnesota and nationwide,” FBI Director Kash Patel said, pointing to schemes involving organizations such as Feeding Our Future, a state-funded entity that stole $250 million worth of federal funds meant for children.
Many of those accused of fraudulent operations are of Somali origin.
HOUSE OVERSIGHT WANTS ANSWERS ON MINNESOTA SOMALI FRAUD SCHEME
The Trump administration has orchestrated a severe crackdown on Somali migrants in the wake of the revelations in Minnesota, including terminating temporary protected status for all Somalis in the state last month. The TPS designation ensures legal immigration status for holders.
The Washington Examiner reached out to DHS for comment.