Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told members of the city’s Somali community they are “our family” during a Somali Independence Day celebration Saturday — even as Minnesota faces intense scrutiny over massive fraud investigations involving Somali-run organizations.
Frey pledged solidarity with the community during outdoor remarks in Minneapolis, praising their contributions to the city.
“In Minneapolis, we do not see you as immigrants. We see you as our family. You are our brothers. You’re our sisters.”
The remarks came weeks after a Republican-led House Oversight Committee report alleged Governor Tim Walz’s administration failed to act on repeated warnings about widespread fraud in the state’s social services programs.
Frey appeared to reference Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration’s immigration and public safety initiative in Minnesota that concluded in February. Border czar Tom Homan announced the operation had resulted in the arrest of more than 4,000 people in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
“Through the most difficult of times and through Operation Metro surge, we all saw that they tried to come for some of us,” Frey told the crowd Saturday. “And when that happens, we say that you’re coming for all of us.”
Frey shared video of his remarks on X, writing, “Happy Somali Independence Day.”
The House Oversight Committee report earlier this month alleged the Walz administration repeatedly failed to act on warnings about fraud involving state social services programs, including the Feeding Our Future scandal.
The committee said more than 110 people have been charged in connection with various fraud schemes in Minnesota, including many defendants identified as members of Minnesota’s Somali immigrant community.
The report alleged concerns about potential racial discrimination claims contributed to delays in addressing suspected fraud.
Minnesota allegedly lost roughly $300 million in stolen federal child nutrition funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the report.
Walz administration officials have disputed the committee’s findings.
