Trump's Xenophobic Rhetoric Fuels Somali Immigrant Fear and Fraud Exploitation

Deep Dive

President Trump recently delivered overtly xenophobic remarks during a cabinet meeting, attacking Somali immigrants in Minnesota and calling them "garbage." This episode details how Somalis became the target of the president's ongoing efforts to reshape America's relationship with immigrant communities, as explained by reporter Ernesto Londoño. These comments were received with shock in Minnesota, though not necessarily surprise at disparaging remarks about the Somali community. However, the specific tone and tenor of the remarks were considered "beyond the pale" and have induced a prevailing sense of terror among the approximately 80,000 Somali-ancestry individuals in the state.

The terror is specifically prompted by the Trump administration deploying about 100 immigration agents to Minnesota, reportedly to identify Somalis subject to deportation orders. This has created a sense that a crackdown is beginning, with potential targets including businesses and homes for immigration raids. This has led to people reconsidering their safety when going to work or even the grocery store, even if they have legal status. Beyond fear of immigration agents, the toxic rhetoric has empowered racist individuals to engage in harassment and hatred, as reported by a Somali-American immigration lawyer who has been inundated with calls from citizens reporting taunts and harassment on the street.

The source of this hostility, according to the president's diatribe, was linked to Somalis allegedly stealing money. This refers to a scandal that began in 2020 during the early weeks of the pandemic when state officials were concerned about feeding and housing vulnerable populations. A specific program designed to feed children became a target for fraudsters who submitted bogus invoices, stealing a significant amount of money. While this was part of a broader pattern of pandemic program fraud, Minnesota's case was unique in its scale.

In total, 78 people have been charged in federal court for this scheme, with the vast majority being Somali-Americans, and over 50 have been convicted. Initially, local officials viewed this as a one-off pandemic abuse. However, as prosecutors investigated further, they discovered that networks of people had exploited loopholes in non-pandemic safety net programs, stealing substantial sums for services not rendered. Federal prosecutors estimate up to $1 billion has been stolen across three such schemes. State officials described this fraud as a business model, with perpetrators operating openly with leased office spaces, websites, and business cards, while state overseers paid the invoices. A defense lawyer noted that those involved came to believe the state officials were tolerating or even authorizing this activity due to its perceived ease.

The question of how such large-scale fraud went unnoticed is one state officials are grappling with. Red flags emerged in 2020 when state officials reviewing invoices for the child nutrition program had questions. The largest organizing group, a nonprofit called "Feeding Our Future," responded to these inquiries by accusing state officials of slow-walking applications due to racism against East African immigrants. This occurred as Minnesota was dealing with the aftermath of George Floyd's killing and a national reckoning over race, leading to a reluctance within state government to be labeled as racist, which some believe paralyzed a more forceful response.

Furthermore, Somali-Americans had become politically influential in Minnesota, a vital constituency for Democratic lawmakers. Individuals involved in fraud schemes reportedly sought help from and became donors to state lawmakers, creating a perceived political risk for taking action to stop these games. Eventually, prosecutors began to pursue the case. The acting U.S. Attorney, Joe Thompson, significantly increased public attention on the scandal, emphasizing that indicting individuals alone would not solve the systemic problem. He argued that without stronger safeguards, the state risked losing its ability to provide services to those in need and specifically addressed the racial dimension, stating that weaponizing allegations of racism inhibited a more forceful response. This led to a period of soul-searching in Minnesota regarding lax enforcement of rules and regulations around liberal policies. In recent weeks, lawmakers have begun asking pertinent questions, and the governor has implemented stronger safeguards against fraud.

The issue then crossed the White House's radar, particularly after a report by conservative activist Chris Rufo suggested that some of the stolen money had funded terrorists in Africa, specifically al-Shabaab. Prosecutors have drawn no such link to terrorism in their federal cases, but the report's headline stated, "The largest funder of al-Shabaab is the Minnesota taxpayer." This was followed by a New York Times report detailing how fraud became pervasive in Minnesota and examining the role of racism and politics. Simultaneously, national attention was focused on the shooting of two National Guard members by an Afghan immigrant, which reportedly provided the administration with political cover for a more draconian immigration crackdown, particularly concerning countries with instability and conflict.

Stephen Miller, Trump's domestic policy advisor, posted about people from failed states not undergoing magical transformations upon crossing borders, and Trump's comments echoed this sentiment. The desire to limit immigration from specific countries, a stance from Trump's first term, may now feel more achievable due to perceived leverage. At the cabinet meeting, Trump stated the U.S. was at a tipping point and expressed frustration with people from impoverished, conflict-ridden countries leaching off the welfare state, asserting he did not want them in the country, regardless of political correctness. These comments are being made more openly than in Trump's first term, such as the private "shithole countries" remark, suggesting a feeling of emboldenment to "say the quiet part out loud."

The individuals Trump is targeting are primarily Somalis, many of whom have legal status or are citizens. The current ICE operations in Minnesota are described as a challenging mission, likely different from previous operations in places like Chicago or Los Angeles. The number of individuals potentially subject to deportation is estimated to be relatively small, perhaps a few hundred with outstanding orders. A mundane challenge for ICE agents is the bone-chilling weather in Minnesota, making prolonged street operations difficult.

The actions and comments are seen as more than just an immigration operation; they aim to delegitimize a group of people who have emigrated and become citizens or are children of immigrants, questioning their "Americanness" based on their origin. Somali immigrants are grappling with how to prove their Americanness and belong to the nation's fabric, considering many were born in the U.S. or have lived there for decades, contributing as patriots and workers. Local elected officials express deep concern about widespread civil rights violations, noting that Trump attacked not just Somalis but Somali-Americans and Americans. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter invoked historical moments of inclusion, questioning who is part of "we the people."

The reckoning in Minnesota regarding the fraud scandal is now overshadowed by the immigration debate and xenophobic rhetoric. While there is broad agreement on the need for systemic change and stronger safeguards against fraud, and a growing acknowledgment within the Somali community of the perception issues created by the fraud, the conversation has been complicated. The upcoming governor's election could make fraud a defining issue. The pragmatic changes needed are difficult to separate from national politics.

In other news, President Trump announced a plan to weaken fuel efficiency requirements for new cars and light trucks, calling them a "scam." The administration claims these new rules would reduce the cost of new cars by $1,000. Separately, a report from the Pentagon's acting inspector general stated that Defense Secretary Mark Esper risked endangering U.S. troops