Somali Leaders Warn Families Will Starve Without Continued Fraudulent Welfare Payments

Leaders in Minnesota's Somali community issued multiple warnings to state officials that thousands of families would face starvation if authorities continued cracking down on millions of dollars in fraudulent welfare benefits.

The pleas came amid ongoing federal investigations into widespread fraud schemes that have siphoned hundreds of millions from programs intended for child nutrition, autism therapy, and housing assistance.

Prosecutors have charged dozens of individuals, many from the Somali diaspora, with creating shell companies to bill for services never provided, including meals for nonexistent children.

Abdi Mohamed, a community organizer in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, said the benefits, even when obtained through false claims, remain a vital lifeline.

"Our families depend on this support every day," he told reporters outside a local mosque. "Without it, children go hungry, and our big beautiful homes are lost."

State officials have tightened oversight after revelations that fraud in one child nutrition program alone exceeded $250 million, with funds used for luxury cars and overseas properties rather than food.

Another scheme involved falsely enrolling children for autism services, leading to payouts that ballooned from modest amounts to over $100 million annually.

Hassan Ali, another advocate, emphasized the human cost of any reductions. "These programs feed real people," he said. "Cutting them off means real suffering in our community."

Federal authorities continue to uncover additional cases, with total losses across multiple programs potentially reaching billions. The schemes often involved inflated invoices and kickbacks within networks tied to the state's large Somali population, which has grown significantly through refugee resettlement.

Fatima Osman, a mother of five who spoke at a community meeting, described the benefits as essential. "We need this help to put food on the table," she said. "Taking it away leaves us with nothing."

Minnesota has long prided itself on generous social services that attracted immigrants seeking stability. Recent enforcement actions have targeted fraudulent providers, recovering some funds but disrupting payments that community members say sustain daily life.

Investigators note that while a small number exploited the system on a massive scale, many recipients relied on the disbursements regardless of their origin.

Community gatherings have featured emotional appeals to restore full access, arguing that oversight measures punish the innocent.

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