FBI Raids About 20 Minneapolis Childcare Centers In Ongoing COVID-Era Fraud Probe
Federal agents executed search warrants at about 20 childcare centers in Minneapolis on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, as part of a court-authorized fraud probe led by the FBI.
The operation began around 6 a.m. local time and involved FBI and other federal, state, and local agents. A Justice Department spokesperson called the activity "court-authorized law enforcement activity." CBS Minnesota observed about a dozen agents at Mini Childcare Center, including one carrying a large portable file case.
The episode traces back to a broader COVID-era fraud probe in Minnesota that has led to 92 people charged and 67 convicted since 2021. That tally includes five guilty pleas in March 2026 in the Feeding Our Future nutrition-program scandal.
Earlier coverage and social media attention helped shape the case. A viral December video by YouTuber Nick Shirley amplified scrutiny of Somali-owned daycares and specifically featured Mini Childcare Center. Political fallout included Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ending his reelection campaign on Jan. 5 and appointing a "fraud czar" for social programs. Operation Metro Surge later deployed more than 2,000 CBP and ICE agents and led to roughly 3,700 arrests, most of whom were not Somali and not tied to fraud. Two Americans, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were shot and killed during the period of heightened enforcement.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, federal agents executed search warrants at about 20 childcare centers in Minneapolis beginning around 6 a.m. local time.
- The [Justice Department] (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/minneapolis-federal-agents-daycares-suspected-fraud/) confirmed the activity was “court-authorized law enforcement activity” tied to an ongoing fraud investigation involving FBI and federal, state and local law enforcement.
- CBS reported the [FBI] (https://www.cbsnews.com/video/fbi-raids-about-20-childcare-centers-in-minneapolis-over-alleged-fraud-officials-say/) was leading the coordinated operation and characterized the actions as tied to alleged fraud involving childcare centers.
- Since 2021, 92 people have been charged and 67 convicted in related Minnesota COVID-era fraud schemes, including five guilty pleas in March 2026 in the Feeding Our Future nutrition-program scandal.
- At Mini Childcare Center in South Minneapolis, CBS observed about a dozen agents (one carrying a large portable file case); the center had also been featured in a viral December video by YouTuber Nick Shirley that was amplified by Elon Musk, Vice President J.D. Vance and then–Attorney General Pam Bondi.
- Political fallout from earlier fraud-focused probes included Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ending his reelection campaign on Jan. 5, appointing a “fraud czar” for social programs, and the subsequent Operation Metro Surge that deployed more than 2,000 CBP and ICE agents and resulted in roughly 3,700 arrests and the deaths of two Americans, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- CBS reports that, as of Tuesday, April 28, 2026, federal agents executed search warrants at about 20 childcare centers in Minneapolis over alleged fraud.
- The CBS video piece confirms the FBI is leading the coordinated operation and characterizes the activity as tied to fraud allegations involving childcare centers.
- The segment timestamps the law-enforcement activity as having been carried out Tuesday morning, April 28, 2026.
- On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, federal agents executed search warrants at about 20 childcare centers in Minneapolis, beginning around 6 a.m. local time.
- A Justice Department spokesperson confirmed the activity as 'court-authorized law enforcement activity as part of an ongoing fraud investigation' involving FBI and federal, state, and local law enforcement.
- Since 2021, 92 people have been charged and 67 convicted in related Minnesota COVID-era fraud schemes, including five guilty pleas in March 2026 in the Feeding Our Future nutrition-program scandal.
- CBS News Minnesota observed about a dozen agents operating at Mini Childcare Center in South Minneapolis, including an agent carrying a large portable file case inside.
- Mini Childcare Center was featured in a viral December video by YouTuber Nick Shirley targeting Somali-owned daycares and clinics, which was amplified by Elon Musk, Vice President J.D. Vance, and then–Attorney General Pam Bondi.
- Political fallout from the earlier fraud focus included Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ending his reelection campaign on Jan. 5 and appointing a 'fraud czar' for social programs, followed by Operation Metro Surge, when more than 2,000 CBP and ICE agents deployed and arrested roughly 3,700 immigrants, most not Somali and not tied to fraud, and two Americans, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were shot and killed.