Daycare Fraud 2.0?
Fraud Allegations Spark Scrutiny of Somali-Language Childcare Centers in Washington State
Somali leaders like Abdi Jama argue the scrutiny stems from political bias rather than evidence, pointing to Minnesota's cases as isolated and not representative. "Those are allegations from another state; here, our providers are licensed and serving real needs," Jama told local media.
Following high-profile fraud investigations in Minnesota involving Somali-American organizations, online activists and conservative commentators have turned their attention to Washington State, where public databases show 539 licensed childcare centers listing Somali as their primary language.
Critics claim many of these centers lack complete addresses or appear suspicious, fueling speculation of widespread fraud similar to Minnesota's scandals, potentially involving millions in taxpayer subsidies.
However, Somali community leaders and advocates warn that such accusations risk unfairly stigmatizing a vital immigrant group that provides essential services, with no confirmed cases of fraud reported in Washington to date.
If accurate, this could imply over $800 million in total funding, though experts note it assumes maximum reimbursements under programs like the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) without evidence of misuse.
The number originates from the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) public provider search tool, where providers self-report languages to assist families, particularly in areas with large Somali populations like Seattle and King County.
Washington hosts the third-largest Somali-American community in the U.S., estimated at over 30,000, many resettled as refugees since the 1990s.
In Minnesota, federal probes have uncovered over $1 billion in alleged fraud across childcare, food aid, and autism services, leading to 92 charges, 82 involving Somali-Americans, and convictions for schemes like fake enrollments and laundered funds.
High-profile cases, such as the Feeding Our Future nonprofit, drew national attention, with some funds reportedly tied to overseas groups like Al-Shabaab. The FBI recently surged resources there, prompting figures like Elon Musk and Sen. Ted Cruz to call for broader audits.
Inspired by these revelations, internet sleuths like YouTuber Nick Shirley and journalist Carleen have begun investigating Washington centers, visiting sites in Federal Way and reporting apparent discrepancies. Posts on X and Reddit amplify these claims, with users urging site visits and audits, estimating potential losses in the billions if patterns match Minnesota. Some tie it to political rhetoric, noting cross-state donations from Minnesota fraud-linked entities to Washington candidates.
Advocates highlight positive contributions: Somali-run centers offer culturally sensitive care, including halal meals and Somali-language support, helping low-income families access subsidies. A 2016 initiative saw 94% of King County's Somali-speaking providers join the state's Early Achievers program for quality standards.
DCYF reports overall licensed providers grew from 5,089 in 2021 to 6,504 by July 2025, with increased subsidies aiding diverse communities. DCYF has not issued a direct response to the recent claims, though the agency conducts regular inspections and fraud investigations—55 open cases statewide as of December.
Governor Bob Ferguson met with Somali leaders amid the backlash, emphasizing support for immigrant businesses.
Critics, including the Washington State GOP, demand probes from incoming federal officials like AG Pam Bondi.
Experts caution against broad brushes: Daycare fraud occurs across demographics, and Washington's system includes safeguards like enrollment verification.
Still, the debate underscores tensions over immigration, welfare oversight, and equity in blue states, with calls for nationwide audits growing louder. As one Reddit user noted, "Fraud is more than a Somali thing, it's a system issue."