Published on August 8, 2024, 12:40 am

Despite controversies related to criminal activities conducted by Somali refugees in the state of Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz has been urging a further increase in refugee resettlement. Minnesota currently holds the record for the highest number of per-capita refugees in the United States, with an especially large population belonging to Somalian origin.

Governor Walz, recently chosen as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, made a formal request for more refugees back in 2019 under the Trump administration. This decision was made despite increasing concerns over gang warfare and sex trafficking crimes involving children within the growing Somali refugee population.

“Minnesota has a strong moral tradition of welcoming those who seek refuge. Our state has always stepped forward to help those who are fleeing desperate situations and need a safe place to call home,” invoked Walz in a previous correspondence aimed at Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

One of President Donald Trump’s actions permitting states or localities to refuse higher refugee resettlement rates prompted Walz’s request. Notably, Walz had formerly advocated for making Minnesota a sanctuary state and is recognized for consistently promoting unregulated immigration policies. These immigration stances have been subject to intense scrutiny since his position on the Democratic presidential ticket was confirmed by Harris.

The governor emphasized that “refugees strengthen our communities. Bringing new cultures and fresh perspectives, they contribute to the social fabric of our state.”

However, troubling issues surrounding Somali refugees continue unabated in Minnesota. Since 2009 at least, gangs formed along clan lines that devastated Somalia mirrored their troubling impact on Minneapolis’ vibrant Somali refugee community. Efforts were made by law enforcement agencies like Minneapolis Police Department creating special units catering specifically to this situation- establishing roles like Somali Liaison officers attempting to curb violent escalations.

Tragically in 2012, revelation about operations carried out by a child sex trafficking ring came into light across Midwestern metropolitan areas such as Minneapolis and St Paul joining Columbus (Ohio) and Nashville (Tennessee). The charges brought against 30 defendants were especially shocking because many of them had previously been allowed into the US as refugees.

Meanwhile, hostilities between rival Somali gangs have steeply increased in recent years, ratcheting up violent crime by a substantial 56% in specific neighborhoods like Cedar-Riverside, which is now colloquially termed as “Little Mogadishu”.

As startling as these reports are, the state’s government has experienced massive fraud amounting to a quarter billion dollars by Somali migrants during Walz’s tenure. These crimes were committed under the guise of an organization called “Feeding Our Future,” sneakily set up to siphon $250 million from pandemic relief programs meant for feeding impoverished children. To this date, only a fraction of that money ($50 million) has been retrieved.

According to recent data, Somalis formed Minnesota’s largest refugee group till at least 2023. The year 2024 might observe another surge in refugee settlement numbers from around 1500 persons to about2400. Across years spanning from 2005 through 2018, more than13000 Somali refugees made Minnesota their home accounting for nearly half (40%) of all US-based Somalis.

In light of upcoming elections across the country and increasingly divisive public sentiments over immigration issues, these challenges that Minnesota currently grapples with can be instructive and cautionary tales for other states looking into similar decisions regarding refugee resettlement.