Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed solidarity with the city's Somali community over the weekend, emphasizing their contributions and calling them "our family" during a celebration of Somali Independence Day. Frey's remarks come as Minnesota remains under scrutiny due to high-profile fraud investigations involving some Somali-run organizations.
Speaking on Saturday, Frey addressed concerns that have emerged, referencing past challenges and pledging support. "In Minneapolis, we loved our neighbors. In Minneapolis, we do not see you as immigrants. We see you as our family," Frey stated. "You are our brothers. You’re our sisters. You have done so much for this incredible city, and for that, we stand with you."
Frey's comments touched upon past federal actions, appearing to allude to the Trump administration's "Operation Metro Surge," an immigration and public safety initiative that concluded in February. The operation reportedly resulted in over 4,000 arrests in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
Frey shared a video of his remarks on X, formerly Twitter, writing, "Happy Somali Independence Day." He added, "Here in Minnesota, home to one of the largest Somali communities in the United States, we celebrate the resilience, culture, and leadership that continue to enrich our city and community."
The mayor's outreach occurs weeks after a Republican-led House Oversight Committee report alleged that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's administration repeatedly failed to act on warnings about widespread fraud within the state's social services programs, including the Feeding Our Future scandal. The committee's report indicated that more than 110 people have been charged in connection with various fraud schemes in Minnesota, with many defendants identified as members of the Somali immigrant community. The report also estimated that Minnesota lost approximately $300 million in stolen federal child nutrition funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting concerns about potential racial discrimination claims may have contributed to delays in addressing suspected fraud. Officials from the Walz administration have disputed the committee's findings.