DHS Fraud Investigation Targets Refugee Claims in Minnesota

The Department of Homeland Security and US Citizenship and Immigration Services are scrutinizing thousands of Minnesota refugee cases in a large review of suspected fraud in the state, the agency announced Friday.

The announcement comes days after a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot a woman during a larger migrant crackdown that sent thousands of officers into the state. The shooting of Renee Nicole Good sparked protests across the country and led to calls by local officials and community groups for ICE to leave the area. An ICE officer later in the week shot and wounded two people in Portland, Ore.

USCIS, which processes green cards and work benefits, has increasingly focused on immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The fraud investigation dubbed Operation PARRIS began in mid-December and focused on 5,600 refugees in Minnesota who have yet to be approved for permanent residency. Investigators have begun referring findings of fraud and other criminal violations to ICE, the announcement said.

The USCIS operation is part of efforts to carry out two White House executive orders on responding to public safety threats and restricted entry of foreign nationals who pose security concerns. An agency spokesman called the state “ground zero” for a war on fraud.