The Edina City Council unanimously approved a statement of support for the local Somali community during its final meeting of 2025.
Mayor Jim Hovland introduced the statement at the Dec. 16 meeting, saying: “We are fortunate in Edina that we have some folks from the Somali-American community. They make our community a much richer place. The more diverse we are, the more interesting we are.”
The statement declares that “recent public comments that demean, dehumanize or single out Somali Americans are unacceptable and do not reflect the values of our city or our nation.”
Council members described Somalis as integral to Edina and the broader Twin Cities region, listing them as “friends, neighbors, residents and visitors,” as well as public servants, health care professionals, educators, students, business owners and community leaders.
“They contribute every day to the strength, culture and wellbeing of our community,” the statement reads.
The resolution concludes by denouncing “harmful rhetoric and discriminatory actions” and reaffirming support for Somali residents, workers and visitors.
Backdrop of federal investigations
The council’s action comes as Minnesota’s Somali community — the largest in the United States — remains under intense scrutiny due to multiple federal investigations into large-scale fraud schemes.
Federal prosecutors have charged more than 90 individuals, most of Somali descent, in cases tied to child nutrition programs, autism services and housing assistance. The Feeding Our Future investigation alone involves roughly $250 million to $300 million in stolen federal funds intended to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prosecutors recently estimated that losses across several high-risk programs could exceed $9 billion in taxpayer money since 2018.
Court records show stolen funds in the Feeding Our Future case were used to purchase luxury vehicles and real estate and to transfer money overseas. Federal authorities are also looking into reports that funds ended up in the hands of overseas terror groups like Al-Shabaab.
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.
