Federal agents, including the FBI, executed 22 search warrants at businesses in Minneapolis on Tuesday morning, targeting suspected fraud in childcare centers. The operations involved federal, state, and local law enforcement and focused on about 20 locations, including the Mini Childcare Center in south Minneapolis, where agents were observed arriving just after 6 a.m.

No arrests were made during the raids, according to reports. A Department of Justice spokesperson confirmed the activity as "court-authorized law enforcement activity as part of an ongoing fraud investigation." The searches come months after Operation Metro Surge, a large-scale federal deployment last winter that scrutinized social services in Minnesota for fraud.

The probe connects to massive COVID-era fraud schemes in the state, notably the Feeding Our Future scandal. That case involved a nonprofit that facilitated claims for federal child nutrition funds through sham meal sites, defrauding taxpayers of over $250 million. Most of the more than 90 defendants charged, around 82 as of late 2025, are Somali Americans. To date, 67 individuals have been convicted or pleaded guilty in related cases.

U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Daniel N. Rosen highlighted the efforts in March, stating, "I am proud of our team of prosecutors, federal agents, and law enforcement partners who continue to expose the rampant fraud in Minnesota." Rosen declined to comment specifically on Tuesday's actions. The raids follow viral videos and reports alleging fraud at Somali-owned daycares and clinics, drawing national attention from President Trump and Republicans, who have called Minnesota a hub of fraudulent activity.

Minnesota's fraud scandals extend beyond nutrition programs to Medicaid and other welfare initiatives, with estimates of nearly $1 billion in losses statewide. The state Department of Human Services has investigated thousands of cases since 2020, referring hundreds to law enforcement. Operation Metro Surge, involving thousands of agents, yielded over 1,000 arrests but faced backlash for immigration enforcement overlaps and clashes with communities.

Governor Tim Walz has criticized the federal focus as relying on "vile, racist lies and slander" targeting the Somali community. Despite setbacks, including resignations in the U.S. Attorney's Office, federal authorities continue pursuing leads in these high-profile cases.

Investigators emphasize the schemes exploited federal programs meant for vulnerable children, underscoring ongoing efforts to recover funds and hold perpetrators accountable.