Article By David Lindfield
Minnesota State Sen. Omar Fateh (D-MN) is calling on Democrat Gov. Tim Walz to impose a statewide eviction moratorium, arguing that residents are too “terrified” to go to work due to heightened immigration enforcement.
Fateh claims Minnesota residents are struggling to make ends meet because of the increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the state.
However, ICE operations only target illegal aliens, most of whom are criminals, and not law-abiding American citizens.
Fateh made the demand Monday in a social media post as the Trump administration steps up immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota.
The increased ICE presence in Minnesota amid mounting evidence of large-scale welfare and relief fraud schemes tied to the state’s Somali community.
“Minnesota is in an emergency,” Fateh wrote.
“Our neighbors are terrified to leave their homes, go to work, and many are now struggling to make ends meet.”
“Minnesotans are already stepping up to help their neighbors in need — it is time for the governor to enact an eviction moratorium,” he added.
Minnesota is in an emergency. Our neighbors are terrified to leave their homes, go to work and many are now struggling to make ends meet.
— Omar Fateh (@OmarFatehMN) January 19, 2026
Minnesotans are already stepping up to help their neighbors in need—it is time for the governor to enact an eviction moratorium.
Backlash Online
The proposal was met with sharp criticism online, with many questioning Fateh’s framing and linking the fear he described to illegal activity rather than economic hardship.
As many pointed out, several ghost daycares and other facilities have been shut down over their ties to fraud, while legitimate businesses and honest workers have nothing to fear.
“Go to work?” one critic replied.
“You mean scam and fraud?
“That is not real work.”
“If they are terrified, they are illegal or committing fraud,” another wrote.
“Sane law-abiding citizens aren’t terrified.”
“Another scam in the works!” a third commenter added.
The Trump administration has increased federal scrutiny in Minnesota following investigations into alleged welfare fraud schemes that have siphoned off hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds.
Federal officials have said the renewed enforcement is aimed at protecting public resources and removing individuals who exploit benefit programs while unlawfully remaining in the country.
Similar calls for eviction moratoriums have emerged elsewhere.
In Los Angeles, labor unions recently demanded protections for illegal aliens unable to work due to stepped-up immigration enforcement.
Political Context in Minnesota
Fateh, the son of Somali immigrants, is best known for his unsuccessful run for Minneapolis mayor.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, defeated Fateh in November by nearly six percentage points.
Walz has faced growing scrutiny over his administration’s handling of the Somali fraud cases.
Republicans have accused the governor of obstructing investigations, claims Walz has denied, insisting he ordered criminal probes into the schemes once they came to light.
Minnesota Republicans have since drafted articles of impeachment against Walz, citing his response to the fraud allegations and broader resistance to federal immigration enforcement.
As enforcement actions continue, Fateh’s call for an eviction moratorium underscores a widening divide between progressive lawmakers seeking to shield illegal immigrants from the consequences of federal action and Republicans backing the Trump administration’s push for immigration enforcement and accountability.
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