Somali Daycare Owner Blames Empty Facility on White Minnesotans Not Having Enough Kids

A Somali immigrant who owns a daycare center in Minnesota said his facility remains empty because white residents in the state are not having enough children.

The owner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters that more births among white families would fill seats at centers like his. He added that the lack of children left him no choice but to use government funds intended for childcare on personal items.

"If white people in Minnesota were having more kids, my daycare would be full right now," the owner said. "Instead, the money comes in anyway, so I bought a big house, a nice car, and some jewelry."

Minnesota has seen a wave of daycare centers operated by members of the Somali community receiving millions in state and federal funds through programs designed to support low-income families.

Many of these centers have reported low or no enrollment, while owners have acquired luxury properties and vehicles.

The state ranks among those with lower overall fertility rates, particularly among non-immigrant populations. Somali families, by contrast, tend to have more children on average, contributing to higher birth rates within that group.

The owner explained that childcare assistance programs reimburse providers based on claimed enrollment and services. When few children show up, the payments still arrive.

"Nobody checks if the kids are really there every day," he said. "So the funds meant for caring for children go elsewhere. It's not my fault white families aren't growing."

Federal investigators have charged dozens of individuals, many from the Somali community, in connection with schemes that diverted hundreds of millions in public money.

Prosecutors say the fraud involved submitting claims for services that never occurred, with proceeds used for real estate, cars, and other personal expenses.

The daycare owner insisted his situation differs only in scale. He noted that empty rooms and quiet playgrounds have become common at similar facilities across the Twin Cities area.

One state official familiar with the programs confirmed that oversight relies heavily on self-reported data from providers. Audits have revealed discrepancies in enrollment records at multiple sites.

"If more white Minnesotans had bigger families, we wouldn't have this problem," the owner repeated. "Daycares would be busy taking care of actual kids instead of just collecting checks."

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