Vice President JD Vance stated that certain migrant communities are involved in widespread federal fraud that has cost taxpayers billions of dollars. Speaking about his work leading a White House fraud task force, Vance described a "clear pattern" of collaboration where individuals exploit government programs.
"You definitely see patterns where certain communities," Vance said in an interview. "It'll start as maybe one Somali person takes advantage of the system, or realizes you don't even have to have children to get money from these programs. You could just claim that you have children, there's no verification. Then, word spreads like wildfire, and that program gets tapped into by the same members of that community."
Vance, who was appointed head of the anti-fraud task force, known as the "Fraud Czar," by President Trump, is working with agencies including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Fraud Task Force Findings
The task force has uncovered approximately $230 billion in fraud since the Trump administration took office, and has halted $55 billion in federal payments to suspected fraudsters. Last week, federal and state law enforcement charged 19 defendants in schemes involving over $4 million in claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid. Separately, Pennsylvania authorities reached a plea agreement in a case tied to more than $1.7 million in claims.
Federal payments to hundreds of suspected fraudulent hospice and home health agencies in states like Minnesota and California have been suspended, with other states also under scrutiny. Vance emphasized that the primary victim of this fraud is the American taxpayer, as funds intended for those in need, such as new mothers or families of children with autism, are diverted.
"When a new mom goes to apply for help for herself and her baby, the money isn't there anymore," Vance said. "Or, you have autistic kids who benefit from services that are meant to go to the families of children with autism, and you have fraudsters who get rich off these programs. Sometimes they don't even have children, much less autistic children enrolled."
Challenges in Recouping Funds
Recovering stolen federal funds presents a significant challenge, Vance explained. "Getting money back is very hard," he noted. "Once it's gone out the door, it's very hard to get it back." The task force's most effective strategy, he added, is preventing payments from going out in the first place.
Recent reports, including those from independent journalist Nick Shirley, highlighted a network of daycare centers, such as the "Quality Learing (sic) Center," allegedly involved in fraud and primarily operated by Somali immigrants in Minnesota. This led to federal actions, including the deployment of DHS and ICE agents to Minneapolis.
Vance's Expanded Role
Vance's portfolio includes leading ongoing negotiations with Iran and heading the anti-fraud task force. The vice president recently welcomed his fourth child, becoming the first sitting vice president to have a child in over 150 years.
President Trump has reportedly expressed support for Vance's potential future political endeavors, with one source indicating Trump told donors, "we need to elect JD."