Somali-run day cares in Minnesota: What we know so far
by Tannistha Sinha
January 20, 2026
The Somali day care uproar was sparked by conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley, whose video turned routine licensing questions into a national political spectacle.
What started as a viral YouTube video alleging empty Somali-run day care centers has erupted into a sweeping federal crackdown that became national news overnight.
Following this, Democratic Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota ended his bid for a third term amid Republican and some Democratic criticism over his administration’s handling of the scandal.
The outrage against fraud in the Somali community began in 2022, when federal prosecutors say a nonprofit falsely claimed to be providing meals to needy children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, reports say they helped steal more than $250 million in public funds, leading to charges against dozens of people, most of them Somali.
The founder of the nonprofit convicted of hatching the welfare fraud scheme was Aimee Bock (not a Somali), who was found guilty by a federal jury in March 2025 on wire fraud, bribery, and conspiracy.
https://defendernetwork.com/news/national/minnesota-somali-fraud-investigation/
