Since the arrival of many Somali immigrants in Minnesota following the civil war and famine in 1991, federal funding has been directed towards various programs to support this community, amounting to more than $32 million since 2008, according to USASpending.gov. This funding complements other social services such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), housing vouchers, and healthcare initiatives.

The Somali population in Minnesota has expanded, leading to cultural shifts in cities like Minneapolis. Members of the Somali community have engaged in local governance roles, including positions in the police force and city council, while also preserving their cultural practices, such as the use of their native language in public. This situation has sparked discussions about the integration of immigrant communities and the role of federal funding in fostering cultural assimilation.

Several federally funded initiatives have been launched to address specific health and social needs within the Somali population. For example, a $3.1 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was awarded to researchers at the University of Minnesota to enhance cervical cancer screenings among Somali women, who may encounter barriers due to cultural practices related to modesty and female genital mutilation (FGM).

In 2022, the Mayo Clinic received a $3.09 million grant to study insomnia within the Somali community, while Health Partners Institute was granted over $3 million to explore heart disease risk factors among Somali immigrants. These studies aim to tackle health disparities that have arisen since their arrival in the U.S.

Mental health support has also been prioritized, with nearly $2 million allocated to the Collaborative for Resilient Kids and Families in Minnesota to provide culturally relevant mental health services for refugee and immigrant youth. This initiative seeks to address systemic barriers that hinder access to mental health care.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has funded programs like VeggieRx, which aims to supply culturally appropriate food options to low-income communities, including those with significant Somali populations, emphasizing the importance of nutrition in health outcomes.

Other initiatives include the Beautywell Project, which received a $250,000 grant to educate communities about the dangers of skin-lightening products, and a program to develop a 'healthy nail salon' recognition initiative to improve indoor air quality in immigrant-owned businesses.

Despite these supportive programs, debates have emerged regarding the effectiveness of such funding and whether it promotes assimilation or perpetuates cultural separation. Critics argue that taxpayer money could be better utilized to foster integration and address broader community needs.

Compounding these challenges, a fraud investigation involving the nonprofit organization Feeding Our Future has revealed over $250 million in misappropriated funds intended for child meals during the Covid-19 pandemic. Reports indicate that some of the misappropriated funds may have been transferred to Somalia, allegedly reaching the militant group Al-Shabaab. This situation has drawn significant media attention and raised concerns about the integrity of Minnesota's social services system under Governor Tim Walz's administration. Federal authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have begun detaining undocumented Somali immigrants in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas, where the largest Somali community in the U.S. resides. The unfolding events reflect broader issues of accountability and the vulnerabilities faced by social service programs, particularly during crises.