Across the United States, child care centers operated by members of the Somali community have become focal points of controversy and concern following allegations of fraudulent activity in Minneapolis. The situation escalated after a video accusing Somali-run facilities of claiming federal child care subsidies for non-existent children circulated widely. This development has prompted a wave of suspicion and harassment directed at providers, complicating their efforts to maintain nurturing environments for young children, many experiencing their first extended time away from home.
In locations as distant as San Diego, Somali child care provider Samsam Khalif recounted an unnerving experience when she noticed two men loitering with a camera near her home-based center, forcing her to circle her neighborhood multiple times before escorting children inside. Concerned for their safety and hers, Khalif installed additional security cameras to deter future incidents.
Similarly, in the Minneapolis area, many immigrant child care providers report an atmosphere thick with antagonism. This has compounded the challenges posed by ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the city. One anonymous provider described an incident where an unidentified individual emerged from a vehicle that had been circling the neighborhood and defecated near the entrance of their child care center. She also recounted verbal abuse from passing motorists branding the facility a "fake day care." Such occurrences have forced providers to implement new lockdown procedures, enhance security budgets, and cover windows to protect children from traumatic sights, including immigration raids. "The uncertainty about the center's safety every day is a heavy burden," she admitted.
The allegations centered on claims that some child care operators billed the government for children who were not enrolled or cared for in reality. Although these accusations led to inspections, investigators did not substantiate the core fraud claims. Nonetheless, the scrutiny influenced the Trump administration's efforts to suspend child care funding to Minnesota and several other Democratic-led states, though court orders ultimately mandated the funds' release.
President Donald Trump had previously used disparaging language targeting Somali immigrants and specifically attacked Representative Ilhan Omar, who was born in Somalia. The administration highlighted a longstanding case involving a large-scale fraudulent scheme defrauding Minnesota out of approximately $300 million in aid intended for families and children. This provided context for tougher political rhetoric following the video’s distribution.
In other cities with significant Somali populations, such as Federal Way, Washington, and Columbus, Ohio, right-wing journalists and social media influencers have appeared at addresses listed for Somali-run child care operations, attempting to document and question their legitimacy. One video showed a man filming through the front door of a Columbus facility, asserting it did not resemble a child care center. After officials inspected the site, they confirmed its legitimate operations. However, one center experienced malicious hacking of its voicemail system with hateful messages targeting the Somali community and spreading hostile stereotypes.
Authorities sometimes intervened following complaints about confrontations. Child care workers in Washington state called law enforcement on journalists who persistently approached their residences. Journalists from a conservative outlet pressed one provider in person for proof of eligibility to receive subsidies, asking aggressive questions about the authenticity of the child care service.
Local government officials have spoken out against tactics perceived as intimidation. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson publicly condemned attempts to harass or videotape Somali child care providers. Yet, officials from the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division cautioned that citizen journalism and inquiry are constitutionally protected and warned against overstepping boundaries in efforts to regulate such centers.
Ohio's Republican Governor Mike DeWine addressed circulating fraud allegations by affirming the state's rigorous oversight of publicly funded child care organizations. He emphasized that providers are within their rights to deny access to unknown individuals and discouraged assumptions equating limited access to fraudulent activity. Despite this reassurance, Republican legislators in the state legislature have introduced bills proposing enhanced monitoring measures, including mandated live video streaming of classrooms for state oversight.
Advocates for child care providers and families argue that the fraud narrative distracts from pressing challenges in the sector. Many states face significant waitlists for subsidized child care programs that support working families with limited incomes. Funding threats, notably from the Trump administration, exacerbate the precariousness of these programs. Ruth Friedman, former head of the Office of Child Care under President Joe Biden, accused Republican lawmakers of manufacturing a crisis about fraud allegations to undermine momentum for increased investment in child care infrastructure. In contrast, the Department of Health and Human Services maintains the importance of vigilance against fraud but encourages reporting based on credible evidence rather than suspicion.