Powerful GOP Rep. Caught In Firestorm After His Support For Mass Somali Migration Re-Emerges

Minnesotans warned Rep. Tom Emmer more than a decade ago that mass Somali resettlement was straining their communities, but the Minnesota Republican brushed them off and scolded critics as insensitive.

That old flashpoint is back in focus after YouTuber Nick Shirley posted a viral video showing visits to Somali-run child care centers now accused of defrauding the state. A resurfaced audio clip from “This American Life” shows that the anger long predates the current scandal.

In an episode aired in October 2016, journalist Zoe Chace recounted a tense July 2015 town hall at Aces Bar in downtown St. Cloud, where residents packed the room to confront Emmer over immigration. One man told the congressman most people were there “to find out how you feel about assimilation of immigrants,” before bluntly laying out his objections.

“We did not ask for those Somalis. Nobody asked us if we, in St. Cloud, want those Somalis. And we understand that social groups, like the Lutheran social service and the Catholic charities, they’re dumping them in areas like St. Cloud,” the man said.

“OK, and so the question is, how many more are coming? We didn’t ask for these people. Everybody that you read about is talking about this. So that is a main issue in this city,” he added. “There is no control. The people have no control over any immigration. The mayor doesn’t. I don’t know.”

Census data show Minnesota is home to roughly 107,000 Somalis, with a majority born in the U.S. Minneapolis alone has about 84,000 residents of Somali descent. The numbers have fueled years of debate, now sharpened by fraud allegations tied to state programs.

NEW: Top Minnesota Official’s Cover Story For Somali Daycare Fraud Falls Apart

In December, Minnesota officials reported an estimated $9 billion or more in fraud across 14 Medicaid services. More than 90% of those charged in the sweeping case were of Somali descent, according to CBS News.

At the 2015 town hall, Emmer pushed back, which Chace described as a “warning shot at the implicit racism” aimed at Somalis. He claimed Somalis were among “the fastest-assimilating populations,” a line that drew groans from the crowd.

“Oh, you gotta be kidding me,” one man muttered.

A Somali man in the audience later spoke up, telling the crowd in accented English that he felt assimilated and urging residents to meet him to address their “fears.”

Residents kept pressing Emmer to demand a vote on refugee resettlement. A woman identified as Sue said the influx had placed a “huge economic burden” on the city.

Rep. Tom Emmer fields questions from reporters

“I think I speak for a lot of people. I think the city of St. Cloud needs a breather. And we need to assimilate with the people that are — ” she said before Emmer cut her off.

“What does that mean? What does that mean?” he shot back.

When Emmer asked if she wanted “no more immigrants” allowed into St. Cloud, Sue clarified she wanted a short-term “moratorium.” Others shouted that the pause should apply to the entire country. Emmer replied that such a move was impossible.

“All right, here’s the thing. All I can do is respond as open and honest as I can, Sue. That’s not something that I can do. That’s not something that our constitution says that we do with people who are — ” Emmer said before the audio cut.

Asked about the resurfaced remarks, Emmer blasted years of failed immigration policy and aligned himself with the Trump administration’s crackdown.

“Over the last decade, failed immigration policies have allowed millions of illegal aliens into our country, including many violent criminals and many who cheated the system to get here illegally,” Emmer said. “Americans will no longer be taken advantage of by illegals gaming taxpayer-funded programs. I’m proud to partner with President Trump and FBI Director Patel to hold these criminals accountable.”

After Shirley’s video reignited scrutiny of Somali-run day care centers, FBI Director Kash Patel announced Sunday the bureau would ramp up its investigation in Minnesota.

Emmer seized on the moment, accusing Gov. Tim Walz of sitting “idly by while billions were stolen from hardworking Minnesotans.”

“What Walz refused to address for SEVEN YEARS, Nick Shirley uncovered in ONE DAY. The fraud in Minnesota is so brazen and so vast that it’s IMPOSSIBLE Walz’s administration didn’t know about it,” Emmer posted.

“Tim Walz and Keith Ellison have done NOTHING over SEVEN YEARS to stop the Somali fraud in Minnesota,” he added, blasting Walz for posting “happy caturday” instead of addressing the allegations.

Just days before the fiery 2015 town hall, Emmer joined then-Rep. Keith Ellison, in launching the Congressional Somalia Caucus, called Somalia a domestic and national security issue for Minnesota.

The irony lingers. Aces Bar, where residents demanded answers in 2015, has since closed. The former site could soon become a child care center itself. According to KNSI Radio, an applicant has sought approval to open Mother’s Love Childcare Center for up to 100 children, though the proposal was postponed this spring.

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