DHS launches massive probe of immigration fraud in Minnesota

The Department of Homeland Security announced Friday what it called a “sweeping” review of refugees in Minnesota, saying it would conduct new background checks and reverify their claims of persecution to ensure they deserved to be in the U.S.

The focus will be on 5,600 people who have been admitted as refugees but who have not been granted a green card or full lawful permanent status.

The probe is being led by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency that handles legal immigration applications. Cases that show signs of fraud will be referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Minnesota is ground zero for the war on fraud,” the department said in a statement announcing the operation.

Emilio Gonzalez, who ran USCIS under the George W. Bush administration, hailed the effort.

“Given what’s going on in Minnesota with massive fraud within the Somali community, I think it’s a brilliant idea to go in and at least relook at all pending cases and adjudicate, or readjudicate, accordingly,” he said.

Refugees are those fleeing persecution in their home countries. They are supposed to prove a substantial fear of being able to live or return there.

Mr. Gonzalez said anyone who has returned to Somalia despite being admitted to the U.S. as a refugee could be suspected of fraud.

He said investigators will also likely look at what government benefit programs the refugees have tried to use.

Minnesota’s Somali community has come under scrutiny in recent years after federal authorities brought charges against dozens of members who signed up to provide meals under a pandemic-era support program, but never delivered on the meals.

That fraud bilked the government of $300 million, authorities said.

Authorities have also identified scams involving the Somali community and autism programs. Prosecutors said scammers would arrange for bogus autism diagnoses for children in the community, offering kickbacks to the parents to get the kids onto the government’s support rolls.

The fraudsters would then seek reimbursement from the government for autism services that were never provided.

At a congressional hearing this week, Rep. Brandon Gill, Texas Republican, said 54% of Minnesota households headed by a Somali are on food stamps. The rate for “native Minnesota” households is 7%.

Mr. Gill said 73% of the Somali-headed households are on Medicaid. The rate for others is 18%.