DCYF is tracking federal actions that may affect programs serving Minnesota children and families. Get verified facts, current status, and how services continue.
Facts First: The real story on services that support Minnesotans
Recent statements and actions from the federal government have created uncertainty about the future of affordable child care, food assistance, and other services Minnesota families rely on every day.
Misleading information from the federal government and other unverified online sources have cited inconsistent allegations of fraud without providing valid data or supporting evidence. Numbers presented without context can be misleading and create confusion about how public support programs actually operate.
Accurate, fact-based information matters. In Minnesota, fraud claims are evaluated through established audit and investigation processes that rely on thorough investigations, verified data and documented findings — not estimates or unsubstantiated claims.
Learn more about the federal actions that could affect Minnesota’s children, families, and communities and how the state is responding.
What’s being claimed and what the facts show
This claim is misleading. Brief, unannounced, and hostile visits by non-credentialed members of the public cannot determine attendance, enrollment, or the appropriate use of CCAP funds.
- The inflammatory and misleading claims in the videos have created safety risks for families, providers and employers, contributing to harmful discourse about Minnesota’s immigrant communities.
- In response to these allegations and to instill public trust in these critical public programs, DCYF’s Office of the Inspector General and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) conducted additional onsite compliance checks at the centers mentioned in the video.
- Four of the centers referenced in the online video were already under investigation by DCYF. Those investigations remain open, and we have no public information to share regarding their status.
- Investigations must be conducted by trained, authorized professionals from DCYF’s Office of Inspector General, who follow the law.
- Showing up unannounced at child care facilities or attempting to conduct independent “investigations” is unsafe, inappropriate and puts children, families, and staff at risk.
- Legitimate investigations follow established legal processes, protect due process and ensure evidence is gathered properly.
- Despite claims that fighting fraud is the reason for increased federal presence in Minnesota, DCYF has received no investigative or audit support from Operation Metro Surge. And many of the federal prosecutors who have played an essential role in securing justice in recent fraud cases have recently resigned in large numbers from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota.
Reporting suspected fraud through official channels helps ensure it is investigated carefully and prevents interference that could undermine enforcement efforts.
That claim is false. The state of Minnesota has always provided the federal government with the data required by law.
In early December, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requested participant, enrollment, inspection and attendance data for programs participating in Minnesota's Child Care Assistance Program. DCYF is prohibited by state and federal law from sharing this information. A court case on this issue is pending. DCYF regularly shares information with HHS through established processes and timelines, in accordance with state and federal laws, to ensure accuracy and privacy.
- Minnesota has paused on providing certain additional data requested by the federal government because state and federal laws limit what information can be shared.
- Right now, Minnesota already provides required reports on a regular schedule, including quarterly, annual, triannual, and end-of-program reports. All data is shared in a way that protects people’s privacy.
- Questions about data sharing are also part of an ongoing lawsuit filed by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, which challenges the federal Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) authority to request the data and to freeze state funds. The court has issued a temporary order preventing ACF from demanding this data or freezing funds while the court considers a motion for a preliminary injunction, which would pause any action until the case is fully heard.
- DCYF will continue to follow all court orders and provide regularly scheduled ACF reports.
That claim is misleading.
- ACF conducted an on-site visit at DCYF Jan. 22-23 to discuss Minnesota’s oversight of the Child Care Assistance Program. ACF cut the site visit short, expressing concerns about the cold weather and expected immigration enforcement protests. DCYF expects the visit with ACF to continue in the coming weeks.
- While states typically have at least 90 days to prepare for federal visits, in this instance, DCYF had fewer than seven days' notice to prepare.
- Despite the unusual timeline, the visit allowed DCYF to showcase the comprehensive approach it has taken to ensure program integrity in the short 18 months since the agency launched – an approach that emphasizes fiscal responsibility from start to finish, including program policy, compliance and program integrity.
- DCYF will continue to work with ACF and provide information that addresses their questions within the parameters established by state and federal law.
- DCYF remains committed to fact-based reviews that stop fraud, protect children, support families, maintain public trust, and minimize disruption to communities that rely on these essential services.
This is false. Minnesota already provides SNAP data reports required by federal law.
- Federal officials have said that withdrawing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from Minnesota depends on the state providing specific SNAP data.
- USDA’s expanded request includes private and personal information on every SNAP applicant and recipient, which is prohibited under state and federal law.
- A multistate coalition filed a lawsuit to protect the data from these unlawful demands. The court then ordered USDA to pause its data demands and not impose penalties on states that do not provide the data while the lawsuit proceeds.
Learn more about the federal actions that could affect Minnesota’s children, families, and communities and how the state is responding.