U.S. News
Congress Probes Cash Exodus Linked to Somali Networks
Clear Facts
- Congressional leaders are investigating why Somali couriers have moved hundreds of millions of dollars out of U.S. airports to foreign destinations in recent years.
- Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul and House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, both Republicans from Kentucky, are leading parallel investigations and plan to issue subpoenas.
- Federal and congressional probes are focusing on reported links between the cash transfers, a massive Minnesota welfare fraud scheme, and potential ties to Islamic terror groups.
Two top committee chairmen in Congress are taking swift action to investigate why Somali immigrant couriers transported large sums of cash from U.S. airports overseas, especially in Minnesota.
The investigation is examining whether these transactions are related to a significant fraud case in Minnesota or terrorist organizations in Somalia.
“We’re going to do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this […] and it will mean subpoenaing these things,” said Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky.
Rand Paul noted that federal agents are already investigating the substantial cash shipments found at Minneapolis airport.
He explained the investigation may face delays if the FBI or other agencies proceed with active cases.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer mirrored Paul’s commitment, targeting the couriers involved within Minnesota’s Somali community.
Comer stated, “We’ll get specific names, and they’ll be receiving subpoenas as quick as we can get them out the door, because we are serious about this. This is a widespread professional organization.”
Reports claim the TSA flagged nearly $700 million in cash moved through Minneapolis in 2024 and 2025, much destined for places like Amsterdam and Dubai.
The Biden administration reportedly did not act on these red flags, even as cash outflows from Minneapolis dwarfed those from other major U.S. airports.
In addition, investigators began looking into similar activity in Columbus, Ohio, where $136 million left the airport during the same period, much of it headed abroad via Minneapolis.
U.S. officials described the activity as operating like a “foreign ATM,” reviewing whether funds are connected to the $9 billion fraud involving Minnesota welfare programs under Democrat Gov. Tim Walz.
The House Committee on Oversight reported that “state lawmakers testified that Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison failed to take action to address this widespread fraud and have retaliated against whistleblowers who raised concerns.”
Walz denied neglecting the issue, stating to the media he had prosecuted wrongdoers and urged against targeting Minnesota’s Somali community.
Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a Minnesota Republican, raised concerns funds could reach Islamist terror groups like Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate in Africa.
“They’re trying to get as much money out of here as possible,” said Emmer, referencing Somali immigrants in the scandal.
“At the end of the rope was Al-Shabaab in Somalia. Some of it went directly to Somalia. At least. I know of $5 million that has gone directly to Al-Shabaab in Somalia, from Minnesota. So it’s amazing. Whole thing is a powder keg that has been allowed to exist for years by Democrats who benefit off of corruption,” Emmer added.
The scandal led Walz to end his 2026 re-election bid, following his previous run as a vice-presidential nominee in 2024.
According to Homeland Security officials, a few Somali-American couriers frequently declared cash—sometimes up to $1 million per trip—while moving currency abroad.
Sen. Paul questioned how such large sums were obtained and whether authorities in the Biden administration or in Minnesota overlooked the activity.
He commented, “I don’t understand how you can say, ‘Oh, I have a million dollars in my suitcase,’ and they just say ‘okay.’”
This ongoing investigation highlights concerns about oversight, national security, and government accountability.
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