Overview
- Republicans highlighted Minnesota cases and cited figures such as 98 defendants with 85 of Somali descent and up to $8–9 billion in Medicaid-related losses, figures disputed by Democrats and researchers.
- GAO told senators USCIS still lacks an internal control plan to proactively mitigate fraud, despite recommendations dating to 2022 and fresh indicators of abuse in humanitarian parole programs.
- Democratic witnesses, including Cato researchers and a University of Minnesota professor, argued immigrants deliver net fiscal benefits and warned against stigmatizing Somali Americans.
- Sen. Amy Klobuchar said at least 14 prosecutors have resigned from Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office since last month’s ICE shooting of Renee Good, calling the departures a setback for fraud prosecutions.
- Minnesota’s year-long Optum audit is underway with early suggestions to use AI for fraud detection, while GOP senators advanced proposals for tougher penalties and scrutiny of large cash withdrawals.