GOP House Majority Whip Tom Emmer has called for the denaturalization and deportation of Somalis linked to the rapidly unfurling billion-dollar fraud scandal in Minnesota.
Both the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security say they are surging resources to investigate allegations of widespread fraud which have drawn national attention to the North Star State, home to the largest Somali population in the US.
Of the 98 individuals charged so far in connection with the scheme, which has seen the brazen raiding of food, housing and childcare programs, 85 are of Somali descent, Attorney General Pam Bondi said on Monday.
“I have three words regarding Somalis who have committed fraud against American taxpayers: Send them home,” Emmer said in a statement on social media Monday evening.
“If they’re here illegally, deport them immediately; if they’re naturalized citizens, revoke their citizenship and deport them quickly thereafter. If we need to change the law to do that, I will,” the No. 3 House Republican said.
“Our nation will not tolerate those who take advantage of our charity and refuse to assimilate into our culture,” Emmer added.
“Additionally, if any naturalized Somalis had undisclosed ties to terrorist organizations like Al-Shabaab, I want to see their citizenship revoked and their asses sent back immediately,” Emmer said.
“Same goes for anyone who is found to have committed marriage fraud during the immigration process,” he added.
So far, none of those charged with fraud have been charged with terrorism financing.
The alleged fraudsters “were looking to get rich, not fund overseas terrorism,” former US Attorney Andy Luger recently told the Minnesota Star Tribune.
His comments follow allegations that as much as $9 billion has been stolen through fraud schemes in Minnesota, according to testimony from the state’s Assistant US Attorney, Joe Thompson.
That means more than half of the $18 billion in taxpayer funding spent on Medicaid-funded programs was likely stolen, the New York Times reported.
One of the schemes — which has seen 78 participants charged so far — amounts to the largest pandemic relief fraud scams in the country, federal prosecutors told the Minnesota Reformer.
State Reps told The Post Minn. Gov. Tim Walz “turned a blind eye” to fraud in the state.
