By Nicole Silverio
Democratic Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said on Monday that Somalis are to thank for “every achievement” that the city has ever had.
Somalis have gained national attention after several were charged with stealing over $1 billion from Minnesota’s social programs, including those intended to feed poor children. Wu claimed that the Somalians are responsible for every positive thing that has happened in Boston.
“You cannot talk about any achievement that the city of Boston has had in safety, jobs, and economic development, in education, without talking about the Somali community that has lifted our city up. We are proud and we are grateful for our Somali community and for our Somali American neighbors. Boston and the country are clear that hate has no place in our society,” Wu said.
“We will use every attack to actually strengthen and expand the services available, to empower and work alongside our community members who are already doing so much good in the world and setting the example for the rest of the country,” Wu continued. (RELATED: Member Of Somali Terror Group Who Plotted Second 9/11 Gets Unwelcome News)
Federal prosecutors in Minnesota charged 92 defendants in a series of social fraud schemes, with 82 of those being Somali Americans. Dozens of those individuals stole more than $300 million from the federal Child Nutrition Program through the Minnesota-based nonprofit Feeding Our Future.
Democrats have defended Somalis, including Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who criticized white men during a Dec. 12 press conference in response to a question on whether Somalis would be held accountable for the crimes committed. Walz came under scrutiny by state officials who accused him of “willfully” disregarding “rules and laws to keep fraud reports quiet.”
President Donald Trump’s administration ramped up deportation efforts in Somali communities, particularly Minnesota, in light of the reports of their crimes. The governor accused the president and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in a Dec. 2 X post of engaging in a “PR stunt” and of “indiscriminately targeting immigrants.”
Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar has accused Trump and other critics of pushing an anti-immigrant and bigoted agenda.
