Muslim civil rights group: Congressman's fraud bill 'discriminatory and deeply irresponsible'
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It's been three months since a YouTuber's viral video claimed to show fraudulent activity at Somali-American run daycares in Minnesota.
No evidence of fraud has yet been confirmed at any of those sites.
But the fallout led to reports of harassment of Somali-Minnesotans, a surge of federal immigration officers in Minnesota and, now, a handful of federal bills aimed at stopping fraud that calls out Somali-Americans by name.
Republican Congressman Pete Stauber from Minnesota on Thursday introduced "The Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act," which would increase penalties against fraudulent childcare providers.
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In a statement, Stauber said, "Taxpayers in Minnesota and across the country deserve to know their hard-earned dollars are supporting legitimate services and not lining the pockets of Somali fraudsters."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations Minnesota calls that framing of the issue "discriminatory and deeply irresponsible."
MPR News host Clay Masters spoke with CAIR Executive Director Jaylani Hussein about the bill.
Press play above to listen to their conversation.
MPR News has also reached out to Rep. Stauber for an interview.
