A large federal law enforcement operation swept across the Twin Cities early Tuesday, with agents executing more than 20 search warrants as part of a wide-ranging fraud investigation involving businesses and child care centers — including the infamous “Quality Learing Center.”
In a statement posted to X Tuesday morning, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said its agents were working alongside multiple law enforcement partners but declined to provide further details.
“HSI, in cooperation with its federal, state and local law enforcement partners, engaged in court-authorized law enforcement operations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area,” the agency said. “For reasons of operational security and for the safety of our agents, we will not comment further at this time.”
Fox News reported that sources familiar with the investigation indicated many of the businesses targeted are “largely Somali-owned businesses.”
Authorities emphasized that the operation is focused on alleged fraud and is not connected to immigration enforcement.
“Homeland Security Investigations in cooperation with our law enforcement partners executed criminal search warrants in Minneapolis relating to the rampant fraud of U.S. taxpayers dollars,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a subsequent post on social media.
Homeland Security Investigations in cooperation with our law enforcement partners executed criminal search warrants in Minneapolis relating to the rampant fraud of U.S. taxpayers dollars.
The American people deserve answers in how their taxpayer money was abused. https://t.co/8rKmgv3vLm pic.twitter.com/7IPqUyTb0t
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) April 28, 2026
The raids come amid ongoing scrutiny of fraud in Minnesota involving taxpayer-funded programs, including child care, transportation, and autism-related services that have reportedly cost taxpayers at least $9 billion.
Lawmakers and officials react to sweeping federal raids
U.S. Congressman Tom Emmer was among those who weighed in on the operation, praising federal agencies and the Trump administration’s stance on fraud.
“President Trump and his administration have made it crystal clear — our country will not tolerate waste, fraud, and abuse, and we are not going to allow people to take advantage of Americans’ generosity,” Emmer said in a statement. “Thank you to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security for taking action against Somali fraudsters. Minnesotans and U.S. taxpayers across the nation are grateful.”
JUST IN: Raids underway at 20 locations in Minneapolis related to federal fraud investigations per @GOPMajorityWhip pic.twitter.com/cHbC0qIfwZ
— Liz Collin (@lizcollin) April 28, 2026
Republican leaders in the Minnesota Legislature also reacted to today’s news.
Speaker Lisa Demuth said “I’m thankful that federal law enforcement has stepped in to do what Minnesota Democrats wouldn’t – hold fraudsters accountable and ensure Minnesota’s tax dollars are going to those who actually need them, instead of enriching fraudsters.”
Meanwhile, GOP House Floor Leader Harry Niska said “today’s federal law enforcement raids didn’t happen in a vacuum. For years, House Republicans warned that Minnesota’s Democrat leaders were failing to provide the basic oversight needed to stop fraud.
“After repeated red flags, whistleblower warnings, and explosive growth in program spending, Gov. Walz and AG Ellison had every chance to step in and fix this. They didn’t, and now the federal government is stepping in to clean up the mess,” Niska added.
In a social media post, Gov. Tim Walz said the raids occurred “because our state agencies caught irregular behavior and reported it. That’s how the system is supposed to work, and our agencies will keep at it as long as there are fraudsters around to put behind bars.”
FBI Director Kash Patel responded to Walz’s statement, saying “Come again? This FBI and DOJ with our DHS partners drafted and executed every search warrant today. But go ahead and take credit for our work while we smoke out the fraud plaguing Minnesota under your governorship.”
In his social media statements, Walz also called for “a joint investigation into the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good — instead of cherry picking when we seek justice and when we turn a blind eye.”
WATCH: Federal agents raid the Somali Senior Center & Adult Day Services in Minneapolis this morning
More than 20 search warrants were executed across the Twin Cities today as part of ongoing investigations into Somali fraud. pic.twitter.com/SyZpFh9A98
— Alpha News (@AlphaNews) April 28, 2026
Additionally, Commissioner Shireen Gandhi of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) reacted to the raids, saying “this is an important action for families who rely on autism services and for Minnesota taxpayers fed up – as I am – with criminals taking advantage of the systems we have in place to deliver social services.”
DHS oversees many of the welfare programs that have been at the center of fraud investigations and prosecutions in Minnesota.
Later today, Walz is scheduled to deliver his final State of the State address to a joint session of the Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota Senate. In advance of that speech, GOP Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson released a statement that lambasted Walz.
“While the Governor will try to tout a legacy of ‘neighborliness’ in his State of the State address tonight, the truth is that his real legacy will be defined by years of unchecked fraud,” Johnson said. “Fraud that has cost Minnesota taxpayers billions, embarrassed our state on the national stage, and tarnished our proud heritage of helping those in need.”
Luke Sprinkel contributed to this report.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
