CaliToday (24/11/2025): Federal prosecutors have uncovered and charged multiple large-scale fraud schemes operated by a network of Somali immigrants in Minnesota, accusing them of siphoning billions of dollars from U.S. social safety net programs including food stamps, welfare, and autism support and transferring portions of the illicit funds overseas, allegedly reaching the Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist organization, Al-Shabab. The scandal is being deemed one of the most egregious cases of social welfare corruption in Minnesota’s history.
The Scope of the Theft and Political Weaponization
The scandal, investigated by U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, has immediately provided the Republican Party with a potent political weapon to criticize Democratic leadership, notably Governor Tim Walz. Critics allege that Democratic policies created a welfare system so "lax that criminals simply exploited it."
The Feeding Our Future Nexus: To date, 77 defendants have been indicted in the primary "Feeding Our Future" scheme, which involved stealing federal child nutrition funds.
Autism Fraud: The fraud extends beyond food programs; one health specialist has been charged with making false diagnoses for Somali children to fraudulently claim $14 million from autism support programs.
Congressman Brad Finstad (R-Minn.) did not mince words, stating: “The Democrats have completely failed. This is no longer just negligence—it’s criminal.” He confirmed that some of the stolen money was tracked to transfers made to Kenya and Somalia, with strong suspicion of ties to Al-Shabab. House Speaker Mike Johnson weighed in, calling the case proof of "a welfare system too loose, too corrupt."
Trump’s Drastic Response: Revoking TPS
President Trump reacted sharply to the news on Saturday by revoking the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalis in Minnesota, condemning the state for becoming a "fraud money laundering hub."
On Truth Social, the President declared: “Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of Minnesota and billions of dollars are missing. Send them back where they came from. END IT!” This move signals a significant and immediate policy shift capitalizing on the public outrage over the alleged use of taxpayer money to fund terror.
Case Study: The $1 Million Dollar Grocery Store Scam
The indictment of the 77th defendant, 45-year-old Ousman Camara, owner of K’s Dollar Grocery & Deli, provides a chilling example of the brazenness of the fraud.
Despite a prior ban from the food stamp program due to suspected fraud, Camara enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program.
Between 2020 and 2021, he falsely claimed to serve 1,000 meals daily, seven days a week, reporting over 300,000 fictitious meals and fraudulently acquiring over $1 million.
The stolen funds were used for personal gain, including purchasing real estate, paying credit card debt, and funneling money abroad.
A Political Storm: The Perfect Storm of Radicalism
Republican lawmakers nationally are seizing on the scandal as the "perfect illustration" of the consequences of open border and excessive liberal welfare policies.
Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) summarized the political viewpoint: “This is the perfect storm of radicalism: unchecked immigration, widespread welfare fraud, and American tax dollars flowing into the hands of those who want to kill us.” The ongoing investigation is set to become a central theme in the national debate over immigration, border security, and federal spending oversight.