A silence hangs over Washington, a notable quiet from Senator Chuck Schumer regarding a massive fraud scandal unfolding in Minnesota. Billions of dollars in social services funds have been implicated, yet the usually vocal Schumer remains uncharacteristically muted.
The reason for this reticence is becoming clear: the scandal casts a shadow over prominent Democrats like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Representative Ilhan Omar. The alleged fraud involves members of Omar’s Somali-American constituency, a group Schumer is hesitant to alienate as he faces his own reelection challenges.
Ironically, Schumer himself once championed a solution that could address the underlying issues exposed by this crisis. In 2013, he co-sponsored a comprehensive immigration reform bill, a “Gang of Eight” effort that ultimately stalled in the House.
Within that ambitious bill lay a provision for an “Office of Citizenship and New Americans.” This office would have focused on immigrant integration – a modern term for what was once called Americanization – emphasizing the importance of adopting American legal and cultural norms alongside English language acquisition.
The core idea was simple: newcomers should understand the responsibilities of citizenship, including a foundational knowledge of the Constitution and the U.S. legal system, prerequisites for passing the citizenship test. It was a proactive step towards ensuring successful assimilation.
This initiative would have been particularly beneficial to communities like the large Somali population in Minneapolis, where over 90,000 residents list Somali as their first language. These individuals come from a nation consistently ranked among the most corrupt globally, currently scoring a dismal 9 out of 100 in Transparency International’s rankings.
The stark contrast between Somalia’s governance and the relative transparency of a state like Minnesota presents a significant cultural adjustment. A focus on American values – trust, integrity, and the rule of law – could have provided a crucial framework for navigating this transition.
Historically, the United States has thrived on immigration precisely because of its ability to instill these values. From the early 20th-century settlement houses, like Jane Addams’ Hull House in Chicago, volunteers dedicated themselves to teaching English and preparing immigrants for civic life, even offering practical lessons in hygiene and community responsibility.
These settlement houses understood that successful integration wasn’t just about language; it was about embracing a shared moral foundation. Addams’ work, and the spirit behind it, offers a powerful model for addressing the challenges facing Minneapolis and countless other cities today.
While any government program is susceptible to abuse, the fundamental problem in Minnesota – a lack of oversight and vigilance – remains. A robust civil society approach, driven by charity and volunteers, might ultimately be more effective.
However, for a Democratic Party consistently seeking governmental solutions, reviving Schumer’s 2013 proposal could be a constructive step. It’s an idea that, even if imperfect, might have offered a measure of protection against the very fraud now plaguing Minneapolis.
