Clay Masters

Democratic U.S.

Representatives Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig, and Kelly Morrison were initially allowed into the facility.

But Omar says it was not long before officials said they were no longer allowed access to the building.

The lawmakers say they were told their denial is because the facility was funded by the Big Beautiful Bill Act, which they dispute.

For NPR News, I'm Clay Masters in Minneapolis.

Yeah, I mean, we've been covering those criminal cases, not just about daycare facilities, but also fraud tied to Medicaid, cases that have led to convictions.

But

This latest move from the Trump administration started over the Christmas holiday when an online influencer with ties to the MAGA world alleged that several daycare centers run by Somali immigrants were taking public money without providing care.

The man can be seen going up to various centers, knocking on doors, and asking to see the children that go to the daycare centers.

It was posted on the social media site X and then reposted by the likes of Vice President J.D.

Vance, SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

It also comes following racist comments from President Donald Trump accusing Somali communities here in Minnesota of widespread fraud.

He called them, quote, garbage and talked about deporting Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who is a U.S.

citizen.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has already ramped up its presence in the Twin Cities through the month of December as well.

I mean, it could be really bad news for families with kids.

This applies to the Child Care and Development Fund, which provides monthly child care subsidies to low-income families.

Nationwide, approximately 1.4 million children and over 857,000 families per month received child care assistance in 2019.

Now, 2019, that's the latest information on the government website.

In Minnesota, where I am, 23,000 children use the child care assistance program each month.