Minnesota's Somali-American Daycares Face Unrelenting Harassment from Strangers, and a Community Rallies to Protect Them
In the aftermath of a viral YouTube video claiming widespread fraud at daycares in Minnesota operated by Somali Americans, an alarming trend has emerged: strangers showing up uninvited to these centers, often recording children without permission. These incidents have left parents and staff feeling scared, humiliated, and targeted.
At one daycare center, Fay, the owner, was approached by a man claiming to be investigating alleged wrongdoing, despite the video being debunked as baseless. Fay refused entry, citing concerns for the safety of her children. This isn't an isolated incident; similar encounters have been reported at multiple centers across the city.
The situation is further complicated by the Trump administration's response to the false allegations. Funding for child care in Minnesota has been put on hold, and providers are required to provide additional documentation, leading to increased scrutiny and harassment from ICE officers. The use of armed law enforcement to collect this paperwork has raised concerns among providers, who fear being "criminalized" and creating a hostile environment.
A community-led response is emerging, however. Parents have banded together to support staff, centers, and families, including delivering food and watching over schools for the safety of teachers and students. In one instance, 20 grandparents and parents attended a training session at a daycare center to learn how to step in as volunteers if needed.
This grassroots effort is being driven by a sense of solidarity among community members who value diversity and welcome immigrant families. As Sarah Quinn, a mom whose daughter attends an elementary school with an ICE presence, puts it: "We're not going to be Minnesota nice anymore; we're going to stand up and say this is wrong."
Parents are finding innovative ways to address the safety concerns of their children, including developing a mantra that encourages kids to speak out against ICE agents. The mantra goes like this: "What do we want? We want them to leave. We want all our immigrant friends to feel safe." This grassroots movement serves as a testament to the power of community and the resilience of families facing harassment and intimidation.
In the aftermath of a viral YouTube video claiming widespread fraud at daycares in Minnesota operated by Somali Americans, an alarming trend has emerged: strangers showing up uninvited to these centers, often recording children without permission. These incidents have left parents and staff feeling scared, humiliated, and targeted.
At one daycare center, Fay, the owner, was approached by a man claiming to be investigating alleged wrongdoing, despite the video being debunked as baseless. Fay refused entry, citing concerns for the safety of her children. This isn't an isolated incident; similar encounters have been reported at multiple centers across the city.
The situation is further complicated by the Trump administration's response to the false allegations. Funding for child care in Minnesota has been put on hold, and providers are required to provide additional documentation, leading to increased scrutiny and harassment from ICE officers. The use of armed law enforcement to collect this paperwork has raised concerns among providers, who fear being "criminalized" and creating a hostile environment.
A community-led response is emerging, however. Parents have banded together to support staff, centers, and families, including delivering food and watching over schools for the safety of teachers and students. In one instance, 20 grandparents and parents attended a training session at a daycare center to learn how to step in as volunteers if needed.
This grassroots effort is being driven by a sense of solidarity among community members who value diversity and welcome immigrant families. As Sarah Quinn, a mom whose daughter attends an elementary school with an ICE presence, puts it: "We're not going to be Minnesota nice anymore; we're going to stand up and say this is wrong."
Parents are finding innovative ways to address the safety concerns of their children, including developing a mantra that encourages kids to speak out against ICE agents. The mantra goes like this: "What do we want? We want them to leave. We want all our immigrant friends to feel safe." This grassroots movement serves as a testament to the power of community and the resilience of families facing harassment and intimidation.
their owners are just trying to provide for their kids and communities and yet they're being targeted like this 
it's so not okay that people are showing up uninvited and recording kids without permission...like what even is wrong with some ppl? 
and on top of that, the trump admin is making things worse by putting funding on hold and requiring extra documentation 
it's just so frustrating when communities come together to support each other, like in this case where parents are bailing out teachers and students just to keep them safe 
it's amazing to see people standing up for what's right, even if it means being "Minnesota nice" anymore lol 
like theyre tryin 2 record kids without permission 
& its not just once or twise its happnin @ multiple centers rn 
& its makin the situation way worse cuz some providers r gettin "criminalized" 
& feel scared
& its all about solidarity @ diversity & immigrant fams welcomin each other 
. I love how parents are getting creative and finding ways to keep their kids safe, like with this catchy little mantra that encourages them to speak out against ICE agents... it's a great example of how even small actions can add up to make a big difference.
. And can we talk about how messed up it is that some of these community members have had to develop a sort of "anti-ICE" mantra for their kids? it's just another example of how racism and xenophobia can seep into even the most well-intentioned spaces.
. we need to be more mindful of how our actions (or inactions) might impact people like these Somali American families, and work to create systems that are fair and just for everyone 
these Somali-American daycare centers are already doing their best for the kids & now they're getting harassed by strangers? 
and on top of that, the government's response is making things worse? 
like what even is going on?! 
but you know what's amazing? 
these parents & grandparents are stepping up to support each other & the daycare centers... it's like they're saying "we gotchu" in the best way possible! 
and that mantra? 
"What do we want? We want them to leave. We want all our immigrant friends to feel safe." 
. When you think about it, what's really going on here is not just about Somali-American daycares being harassed, but also about xenophobia and systemic racism in our country 
. The fact that funding for child care has been put on hold by the Trump administration is just another example of how immigrant families are being held hostage by politics 
.
. Meanwhile, the community is coming together to fight for their rights and support each other 
.
. We need policies that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion, not ones that perpetuate fear and division 
.
. And what's up with the Trump admin trying to tie funding for childcare to these allegations? That just feels like more drama to me... 
. but what I love most about this community's response is how they're coming together to support each other & stand up against ICE 
these moms are like "we got your back" & "our kids will not be scared" 
and that mantra? 
"what do we want? we want them to leave. we want all our immigrant friends to feel safe"... I'm getting chills just thinking about it 
like what if someone actually needed help for a legit reason? these daycares are already doin their best to provide care, no need 4 more stress 