The FBI has deployed additional personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota as it examines what officials describe as large-scale fraud schemes involving federal programs, a move that has unfolded alongside rising political scrutiny of the state’s Somali immigrant community.
FBI Director Kash Patel said on social media that the agency is working to dismantle fraud exploiting government funding, though the bureau did not immediately provide further details about the scope or timeline of the investigation.
The announcement follows weeks of heightened attention from Republican officials who have cited Minnesota cases in broader critiques of immigration policy and state leadership.
According to Patel, the FBI surged resources to Minnesota even before the allegations gained traction online, signaling a sustained federal response.
Reports cited by multiple outlets allege that more than $200 million may have been taken from programs tied to education, Medicaid, housing, and autism services.
More than 90 people have been indicted in connection with various fraud cases, with allegations often centering on government funds being billed for services that were not provided.
Some of the cases trace back to 2015, including daycare centers accused of overcharging the Child Care Assistance Program.
Other investigations involve disability housing programs and the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, which was implicated in a $250 million COVID-era child nutrition fraud scheme.
Patel said investigators believe the alleged activity uncovered so far is "just the tip of a very large iceberg."
The investigations have become a focal point for attacks by President Donald Trump and other Republicans on Minnesota’s Somali population and Democratic Governor Tim Walz.
Trump has referenced the cases in criticizing the Somali diaspora and has linked them to decisions on immigration protections, while Vice President JD Vance and other officials have amplified related reports online.
Walz’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and the FBI has not elaborated on Patel’s remarks.
Democrats and community leaders have pushed back, arguing the rhetoric unfairly targets Somali residents and risks inflaming tensions.
Some Somali immigrants have reported fear of increased immigration enforcement as the investigation continues.
The controversy underscores how a criminal probe has evolved into a broader political debate with national implications.