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San Diego Child Care Providers Face Harassment Amid False Fraud Claims
Somali child care providers across the United States are experiencing harassment and intimidation following a viral video that falsely alleged widespread fraud in immigrant-run day care centers. The baseless accusations have created a climate of fear for providers and children alike.
In San Diego, Samsam Khalif encountered a disturbing situation while transporting children to her home-based center. Two men with a camera waited in a parked car outside her facility, prompting her to circle the block several times before feeling safe enough to unload the children.
“I’m scared. I don’t know what their intention is,” Khalif said. The incident led her to install additional security cameras around her property.
The harassment campaign began after a far-right conspiracy theorist and YouTube influencer Nick Shirley posted a video the day after Christmas. The video contained racist allegations that members of Minneapolis’s Somali community were operating fake child care centers to fraudulently collect federal subsidies. State inspectors quickly disproved these claims, finding that the businesses were legitimate.
Despite being debunked, the false narrative gained traction in right-wing circles and even caught the attention of the White House. The Trump administration attempted to freeze child care funding for Minnesota and five other Democratic-led states until a court intervened and ordered the funds released.
The fallout has spread beyond Minnesota to other areas with significant Somali populations. In Federal Way, Washington, and Columbus, Ohio, self-described “citizen journalists” and right-wing influencers have shown up unannounced at child care facilities, filming through windows and questioning providers in intimidating ways.
In one particularly troubling incident in Columbus, a child care center had its voicemail hacked. Parents calling the facility heard a racist message containing slurs and inflammatory language against Somali people. Ohio dispatched inspectors who confirmed the targeted facility was indeed a legitimate child care center.
Local officials have taken different approaches to the situation. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson posted on social media that she would not tolerate harassment or intimidation of Somali child care providers. This prompted pushback from Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, who characterized such activities as protected speech.
In Ohio, Republican Governor Mike DeWine held a news conference specifically to debunk the fraudulent claims circulating about a Columbus child care center. He assured the public that the state carefully monitors centers receiving public funding and defended providers who refuse entry to strangers.
“It shouldn’t be a shock when someone sees something on social media, and someone is going, ‘I can’t get into this place, no one will let me in,'” DeWine stated. “Well, hell, no! No one should let them in.”
Despite DeWine’s defense of these businesses, Ohio Republicans have introduced legislation to increase monitoring of child care centers, including a proposal requiring those receiving public funds to provide live video feeds of their classrooms to state officials.
The harassment has forced providers to take extraordinary security measures. One anonymous child care operator in Minneapolis described implementing new lockdown procedures, budgeting for security systems, and keeping blinds closed to shield children from unwanted visitors and potential immigration enforcement activities outside.
“I can’t have peace of mind about whether the center will be safe today,” the provider said. “That’s a hard pill to swallow.”
Child care experts note that the manufactured controversy distracts from legitimate issues facing the industry. Many subsidy programs have lengthy waiting lists, making it difficult for parents to return to work. Ruth Friedman, who headed the Office of Child Care under President Biden, accused Trump and Republicans of fabricating a crisis for political gain.
“They are using it to try to discredit the movement toward investing in child care,” said Friedman, now a senior fellow at the Century Foundation.
As the harassment continues, child care providers like Khalif worry about maintaining the nurturing environments they’ve worked to create for young children experiencing their first days away from parents—all while looking over their shoulders for the next uninvited observer.
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14 Comments
It’s troubling to see far-right influencers spreading misinformation and inciting harassment against legitimate child care centers. These baseless allegations are creating a climate of fear and insecurity for immigrant communities.
Spreading false claims that undermine essential services like child care is reckless and damaging. The authorities must take action to protect these businesses and ensure the wellbeing of the children.
It’s concerning to see far-right influencers targeting immigrant-run child care providers with these baseless allegations. Legitimate businesses should not have to deal with harassment and intimidation tactics, especially when it impacts the care of vulnerable children.
I hope the authorities take strong action to address this situation and put an end to the harassment. These false claims are unacceptable and are causing real harm to the communities affected.
It’s disappointing to see far-right influencers spreading misinformation and targeting immigrant-run child care providers in this way. These baseless claims are causing real harm and disrupting essential services.
Absolutely, the authorities need to step in and put a stop to this harassment campaign. Immigrant-owned businesses should be able to operate without fear of intimidation tactics.
This is deeply disturbing to hear. Harassing child care providers based on unfounded claims is unacceptable. I hope authorities take swift action to protect these businesses and the vulnerable children in their care.
Agreed, these conspiracy theories are causing real harm to immigrant-owned businesses and the families they serve. The authorities need to put a stop to this intimidation campaign.
This is a very troubling situation. Harassing child care providers based on false accusations is unacceptable and puts vulnerable children at risk. The authorities must take swift action to protect these businesses and the communities they serve.
Agreed, these unfounded claims are causing real harm and disruption. The authorities need to intervene to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children and families affected by this campaign of misinformation.
This is a concerning situation. Legitimate businesses should not have to deal with harassment and intimidation tactics based on fabricated claims. The authorities need to intervene and put an end to these malicious activities.
I agree, these false allegations are unacceptable and need to be swiftly addressed. The impact on vulnerable children and families is deeply concerning.
This is a deeply troubling situation. Spreading misinformation and inciting harassment against child care providers is completely unacceptable. The authorities need to intervene to protect these businesses and the children in their care.
Agreed, these unfounded allegations are causing real harm and disruption. The authorities must take swift action to address this issue and ensure the safety and wellbeing of the affected communities.