Minnesota’s Welfare Whopper '81% of Somali Refugee Households Cash In'

Summary

The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Minnesota’s Welfare Whopper '81% of Somali Refugee Households Cash In'

Date: December 12, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson
Podcast Network: Premiere Networks

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Overview

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update, Ben Ferguson explores contentious topics involving immigration, welfare, and housing. The episode's main theme centers on recent data revealing exceptionally high rates of welfare use among Somali refugee households in Minnesota, followed by a broader discussion on how immigration is impacting housing affordability in the United States. Ferguson draws direct connections between recent federal policies, the administration’s approach to immigration, and resulting economic repercussions, particularly for native-born Americans.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Somali Refugee Households’ Welfare Usage in Minnesota

[06:09 - 14:16]

• New Data from the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS):

  • “Nearly every Somali household with children is on welfare... more than 8 in 10 households headed by Somali refugees in the state of Minnesota are on one or more forms of American taxpayer funded welfare.” (06:15 - Ben Ferguson)
  • The data spans ten years from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
  • Minnesota hosts nearly 80,000 residents of Somali ancestry, a dramatic rise from zero in 1990.

• Statistical Highlights:

  • 81% of Minnesota Somali-headed households are on some form of welfare:

    • 27% on cash welfare
    • 54% on food stamps
    • 73% on Medicaid

  • Compared to native-born Minnesotans:

    • 21% on any welfare
    • 6% on cash welfare
    • 7% on food stamps
    • 18% on Medicaid

  • For Somali-headed households with children:

    • 89% on one or more forms of welfare
    • 86% on Medicaid
    • 62% on food stamps
    • 23% on cash welfare

  • Notable quote from researcher Jason Richwine (paraphrased by Ferguson):

    “Nearly every Somali household with children receives some form of welfare.” (13:07)

• Comparative Context:

  • Native Minnesotan households with children:
    • “Only about 3 in 10... take one or more forms of welfare.” (13:23)

• Ferguson’s Analysis and Questions:

  • Raises concerns about sustainability:

    “That is an insane number. A number that should scare everyone because it’s unsustainable.” (11:25)

  • Questions rationale for refugee resettlement:

    “Why on earth would we continue to bring people into this country that we are having to take care of indefinitely?” (13:42)

• Assimilation and Socioeconomic Integration:

  • Language Proficiency:

    • Only 0.7% of native-born Minnesotans speak English less than very well, but almost 60% of Somali refugees do not.
    • “Including nearly half... who have lived in Minnesota for more than a decade.” (13:57)

  • Education:

    • Only 5% of native-born Minnesotans lack a high school diploma vs. almost 40% of Somali refugees.
    • Over 28% of long-term (10+ years) Somali residents still lack a diploma.

  • Poverty:

    • Over 66% of Somali refugees live in or near the poverty line, compared to fewer than 20% of native-born.

  • Summarizing alarms:

    “You put all that together, this is a recipe for disaster. We know it and we have the data to prove it.” (14:05)

2. Immigration’s Impact on U.S. Housing Affordability

[14:17 - 20:56]

• A New Housing Report from HUD:

  • Introduces Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Scott Turner, referencing his recent statements on Fox News.
  • Turner asserts that illegal immigration is a primary factor in housing unaffordability:

    “Over 12 million illegal immigrants or illegal aliens came across our border, really stifling our housing affordability and supply issue in our country. ... 59% of illegal alien families use one or more welfare programs in America, costing us about $42 billion a year.” (15:39 - 16:01, Scott Turner)

• Difficulties for American Homebuyers:

  • Ferguson and Turner agree that young adults, Gen Z, and millennials are being relegated to “renters, not homeowners.” (14:24)
  • Turner discusses regulatory reform efforts and innovations:
    • Ideas include “portable mortgage” or even “50 year mortgage” formats to aid affordability.
    • Removing “burdensome regulations” to unlock building and development.

    • “We’ve taken down burdensome regulations... restoring local control back to the cities, back to the states.” (17:20 - Scott Turner)

• HUD 2025 Report Takeaways:

  • “The foreign-born population now accounts for more than 60% of the growth in rental demand. Nationwide... two thirds of rental demand growth.” (19:13)
  • In California and New York:

    “Immigrants... have accounted for 100% of all rental growth and over 1/2 of all growth in owner occupied housing in recent years.” (18:49)

• Housing Affordability Emergency:

  • Turner claims the Biden administration issued Federal Housing Authority-backed mortgages to illegal immigrants—a policy HUD reversed under President Trump.
  • “If we don’t stop this, they’re going to have Americans that literally cannot afford to live in America...” (19:46, paraphrased from report conclusion)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Ferguson on the scale of Somali refugee welfare reliance:

  “Nearly every Somali household with children is on welfare, meaning you are paying for their lives. How much is it costing you? ... It's actually gotten even worse.” (06:10)

• Statistical outrage:

  “Of the Somali refugees in Minnesota, 54% of them are on food stamps... 73% are on Medicaid. That is an insane number. A number that should scare everyone...” (11:18)

• Wider assimilation concern:

  “Just 0.7% of native born Americans in Minnesota speak English less than very well. Almost 60% of Somali refugees [don’t speak well].” (13:57)

• Scott Turner on immigration’s effect:

  “Over 12 million illegal immigrants... really stifling our housing affordability and supply issue in our country.” (15:43)

• Ferguson on policy differences:

  “In Trump’s presidency, Americans finally have a leader fighting to restore the sanity for American immigration policy.” (18:35)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Welfare Usage by Somali Households: 06:09 – 14:16
• HUD Secretary Scott Turner Interview on Immigration & Housing: 15:27 – 18:11
• HUD 2025 Report and Policy Discussion: 18:11 – 20:56

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Takeaways

• The episode is sharply critical of both Somali refugee resettlement outcomes and current U.S. immigration policies, citing high social services usage and the impact of recent immigrants on housing markets.
• Ferguson underscores a theme of prioritizing native-born Americans for government resources, questioning the rationale behind continuing high rates of refugee resettlement given the economic data presented.
• HUD Secretary Turner’s interview amplifies the argument that unchecked immigration, especially under the Biden administration, has exacerbated America’s housing and affordability crisis.
• The podcast’s tone is urgent, heavily statistical, and direct, intended to rile concern about government spending and policy direction.

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This episode summary aims to provide a comprehensive, accurate representation of the discussion for those who have not listened, bucketing the content by topic, with contextually-referenced quotes, major statistics, and relevant timestamps. Advertisements and non-substantive sections have been omitted for clarity.

Transcript

[Ben Ferguson]

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[Ben Ferguson]

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And we'd like to see if we could stop that.

I've spoken to China about that.

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And I think it would be something.

That we would want to do and they would like to do.

And I think Russia would like to.

They said they won't want you to.

Start or follow on.

Well, that's what they've told you. But you know, what they tell you.

Is different than what they tell you.

You're listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson.

Good Friday morning. It's so nice to have you with us on the 47 Morning Update. And we've got two big stories for you. First up, shocking news coming out of Minnesota as nearly every Somali household with children is on welfare, meaning you are paying for their lives. How much is it costing you? I'll explain that in just a moment. And it's not just Somalia. Plus, in another shocking story, the Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner is now blaming unchecked illegal immigration for the pricing out of families, American families, amid the new housing report that is showing now countless numbers of apartments and rental properties are being rented by illegal immigrants, making home ownership or almost unaffordable for many Americans. But first, I want to tell you about an amazing opportunity right now that I'm involved in and I cannot wait for you to take advantage of it. I want you to take some incredible courses at Hillsdale College for free. You may not know this, but Hillsdale College has been influencing conservatives like myself for decades. They had a huge impact on Charlie Kirk's life. And even as memorial service, they talked about how Charlie took class after class after class at Hillsdale College. Hillsdale College is now offering for you, the listeners of this show, more than 40 free. I want to say that again. Free online courses. That's right. More than 40 free online courses. You can learn about the works of C.S. lewis, the stories in the Book of Genesis, the meaning of the US Constitution, the rise and fall of the Roman Republic, or the history of the ancient Christian Church, all with Hillsdale College's free online courses. Right now, I'm personally taking the Constitution 101. In this course, you're going to explore the design and the purpose of the Constitution, the challenges it faced during the Civil war and how it has been undermined for more than a century by radical progressives and liberals. This 12 lecture course is self paced. It's another reason why I love it so Start whenever and wherever in our country. We need more Americans like you and I that understand the Constitution and can defend the freedom of the American people against the left and their increasing encroachments on our God given rights. So start your classes today for free. Start your free Constitution 101 course right now. How do you do it? Go to Hillsdale Edu Morning Update to enroll and it's no cost. It's easy to get started. You got to use a special website, Hillsdale Edu Morning Update Enroll for free hillsdale edu morningupdate. It's the 47 morning update and it starts right now.

Story number one.

There has been a lot in the news about the Somali population defrauding taxpayers at record rates, costing you millions and millions and millions and millions of taxpayers dollars in Minnesota. Well, I wish I could tell you it's gotten better, but it isn't at all. It's actually gotten even worse. And what we're finding out about how much money the Somali community is taking from all of us, how bad is it? Nearly every Somali household with children is on welfare. That's right. New data is showing that more than 8 in 10 households headed by Somali refugees in the state of Minnesota are on one or more forms of American taxpayer funded welfare. This new data published by the center for Immigration Studies is revealing the shocking news. Now the data is actually based on 10 years, a decade of data from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey known as the acs. And it shows drastic disparities between native born American households and Somali born households in Minnesota where nearly 80,000 residents have Somali ancestry compared to zero who had Somali ancestry in 1990. In particular, the data shows that 81% of Minnesota households headed by Somali refugees are on one or more form of welfare, including 27% who are on cash welfare, 54% who are on food stamps and 73% who are on Medicaid. Now many are on multiple forms of government aid welfare. Now you compare this massive welfare to native born Americans residing in Minnesota, the numbers are completely and staggeringly different. Only 21% of whom are on one or more form of welfare. When it comes to American native born, including just 6% who are on cash welfare, 7% who are on food stamps and 18% who are on Medicaid. Now let me just go back through these numbers and compare them. Of native born Americans residing Minnesota, just 6% on cash welfare, Somali refugees in Minnesota, 27% on cash welfare, and just 7% of native born Americans residing in Minnesota on food stamps. Again I go back and really think about these numbers in your head. Of the Somali refugees in Minnesota, 54% of them are on food stamps. And if you look at Medicaid, of native born Americans residing in Minnesota, 18% are on Medicaid. 73% of Somali refugees are on Medicaid. That is an insane number. A number that should scare everyone because it's unsustainable. Now welfare use goes even higher by the way, for Somali households with children that are in the home. The ACS data, fine. So that was just in general numbers, right? Like a grown woman or a grown man. Now if you look at households with a child in it, the numbers skyrocket even more. 89% of Somali headed households with children in Minnesota are on one or more forms of welfare. 86% of these households with children that are Somali headed, 86% on Medicaid. And this number is the most damning. About 62% of Somali households with children in the state are on food stamps and 23% take cash welfare. Now most of these families are on at least two forms of government aid. Some have three, even four. Quote, nearly every Somali household with children receives some form of welfare. That is what the CIS researcher Jason Witchwine said in this report. The gap between Somali households with children on welfare and native born Americans that with children on welfare is wide. Only about 3 in 10 native Minnesotan households with children take one or more forms of welfare. All right, so 30%, only 6% on cash welfare if you're a native born. 10% in Minnesota, native born on food stamps and 28% on Medicaid. 89% of Somali headed households with children Minnesota on one or more forms of welfare. This goes back to what President Donald Trump talked about a couple of days ago. Why on earth would we continue to bring people into this country that we are having to take care of indefinitely that are costing us countless dollars when we have plenty of Americans that need help first. We have countless failing schools. We have people living in poverty. We still have a homeless crisis with our men and women that fought to protect and serve this country. So why would we bring in Somalis where we know that 89 of them, if they have children, we're going to have to pay for their life where 86% of them are going to be on Medicaid, where 62% of them are on food stamps and we're 23% takes cash welfare and maybe even more. These numbers aren't even close to the native born numbers. Now disparities by the by the way between native born Americans and Somali refugees in Minnesota goes deeper than welfare use. The data also shows Somali refugees who are in or near poverty in Minnesota surpasses 66%. While fewer than 2 in 10 native born Minnesotans live in or near the poverty line. So almost seven out of every 10 Somali refugees are living in or near the poverty line. That number is crazy. But let's talk about are they at least trying to become Americans? Are they trying to assimilate? Are they trying to become a part of this country, the refugees that have come over from Somalia? All right, here's some more data for you. Just 0.7% of native born Americans in Minnesota speak English less than very well. Almost 60% of Somali refugees say they don't speak any English very well, including nearly half of Somali refugees who have lived in Minnesota for more than a decade. Somali refugees in Minnesota also tend to be vastly less educated than their Minnesotan counterparts. Well, only 5% of native born Americans in Minnesota do not have a high school diploma. So it's actually a very educated state. Almost 40% of Somali refugees say the same, including more than 28% who have lived in Minnesota for more than a decade and they still don't have the education they need to succeed at a high level. You put all that together, this is a recipe for disaster. We know it and we have the data to prove it. So why on earth are we still having these programs? Which is the question that the President of the United States of America has been asking and it's one that every American should want or demand an answer from it. Now, all the data I just gave you, I really hope you'll take it and you'll share it. I hope you take the podcast, share it wherever you can on social media because this is the exact type of data that needs to get out there.

Now, story number two.

It brings me to another story which that I also want to bring up and it's about exactly what is happening with immigration in general. There's other shocking news that has come out from the HUD secretary warning that illegal immigration is pushing home prices higher than you can imagine. In new comments that have come out as the agency has released a damning report on the housing market strain. And if you are an American that wants to own a home, it's harder now than it's been in my lifetime. There is a lack of affordability and home prices have gotten incredibly high, making those 40 and under, in essence renters, not home owners. The Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Scott Turner slammed the Biden administration for what he called an illegal immigration and refugee crisis that has rattled the housing market, particularly for low income renters. There is more shocking details that he explained on Fox News Channel. And I want you to hear what he had to say to Kayleigh McEnany.

I'm joined now by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner. Secretary Turner, you know, it was interesting. I was watching some of your interviews this week and you actually linked illegal immigration to part of the reason we have a housing crisis.

Well, good morning, Kaylee. It's always great to be with you. And yes, during the Biden administration, the immigration policies crippled our nation. Over 12 million illegal immigrants or illegal aliens came across our border, really stifling our housing affordability and supply issue in our country. And when you have this many illegal aliens coming over, taking homes that are supposed to be for the American people, affordability is automatically going to go up. Kayleigh, here's an interesting stat for you. 59% of illegal alien families use one or more welfare programs in America, costing us about $42 billion a year. And so we have to get the immigration policy in order, which President Trump has done and others in our administration. But yes, illegal immigration has definitely stifled housing affordability and supply.

One of the things that I think is really fantastic about the Trump administration is you're always coming up with new ideas, whether it be tariff dividends, the health care payments, and in your case, you're in housing. We've heard about this idea of a portable mortgage, perhaps a 50 year mortgage, and that we can debate the efficacy of all these ideas, but you're coming up with solutions. Tell us about some of those conversations. Do you all get in a room and just plan and think, how can we help the American people hear some new ideas?

Yes, Kayla, you know all too well having us serve so faithfully in the first place administration that President Trump not only is a strategist, but he executes on ideas. And so right now there's many ideas, a myriad of ideas on the table as it pertains to housing affordability and helping first time homebuyers in America. I hear it, you hear it, Gen Z, millennials and others said, how are we going to be able to afford a home? And so not only do we understand it, but you have people, leadership in this country getting together, getting stakeholders together, industry experts to see what is the best feasible and appropriate path that we can take to open up building in our country. And I will say in addition to that, Kaylee, the regulatory environment is burdensome. In our country. And so at hud, we've taken down burdensome regulations affirmatively furthering fair housing, which made HUD a national zoning board, restoring local control back to the cities, back to the states, back to the localities. And we're encouraging every locality, take inventory of your regulatory environment to see how you can unleash building and development in your said community. And so these ideas, taking down the regulatory environment, public private partnerships are all part of the plan.

I go back to one of the things that Turner said there. The quote, unchecked legal immigration and open borders policies allowed by the Biden administration continue to put significant strain on housing pricing out American families. These policies have plagued Americans housing market. But in Trump's presidency, Americans finally have a leader fighting to restore the sanity for American immigration policy. You look at this report and HUD's 2025 report also found that increased immigration has driven up the price you're paying for a house. And that unrestricted nature of the influx has quote, both strain the housing market. And this is from the report priced out many American families report found that an estimated 15 million illegal immigrants constitute 30% of all foreign born residents. Now Turner also added that HUD took away federal Housing Authority backed mortgages from illegal immigrants offered during the Biden administration saying the former president turned a blind eye to the issue. So you were literally like our government was giving out the loans and backing the loans of illegal immigrants. Now in California, right. Sanctuary state, New York, a sanctuary state as well. Immigrants, they now say in this report have accounted for 100% of all rental growth and over 1/2 of all growth in owner occupied housing in recent years. So if you're trying to find affordable housing in California or New York as a state, good luck because immigrants have accounted for 100% of all rental growth and over 1/2 of all growth in the owner occupied housing in recent years. Nationally, there's also a major concern. The foreign born population now accounts for more than 60% of the growth in rental demand. Nationwide, the foreign born population accounted for two thirds of rental demand growth. HUD's report also says that if we don't stop this, they're going to have Americans that literally cannot afford to live in America is what the synopsis is. Because there's such a a competitive marketplace for rental properties and you can't afford to buy a home. So what is your option? That's something that every American should be thinking about. And it's exactly why by the way, the President of the United States of America is taking this subject on saying we have to stop it now.

Thank you for listening to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson. Please make sure you hit subscribe subscribe wherever you're listening to this podcast right now and for more in depth news, also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson Podcast.

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And we will see you back here.

[Ben Ferguson]

Tomorrow.

10 athletes will face the toughest job interview in fitness that will push past physical and mental breaking points. You are the fittest of the fit. Only one of you. You will leave here with an IFIT contract worth $250,000. This is where mindset comes in. Someone will be eliminated. Pressure is coming down. This is Trainer Games.

Watch it on prime video.

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Starting January 8th, the world's best ski and snowboard athletes are chasing medals. Now you can follow their every move. Join Insider, the official US Ski and Snowboard Fan loyalty program and get premium viewing at World cup ski events, exclusive athlete meetups, discounts from brands you love, and a custom welcome gift mailed direct to your doorstep this winter. Show your support as they race for the podium. Head to Insider, usski and snowboard.org and join today. Bring incredible sound into every corner of your home this holiday with the new Whimsound Smart Speaker. Get high resolution audio with a 1.8 inch touchscreen, smart control and modern design in one one powerful speaker for just $299. From Quiet Mornings to lively holiday gatherings, Whim Sound makes every moment sound better and feel better too. Get the gift of the season for the music enthusiast in your life or for yourself. Whim Sound Beautifully designed, effortlessly connected. Shop now at Amazon and search Whim Sound. That's W I I m S o u n D I use Shipt Same.

[Ben Ferguson]

Day Delivery to stay connected with my sister during the holidays. She lives across the country. Shipt has tons of stores to order from. Groceries from Albertsons, crafts from Michaels, even pet supplies from Petsmart. The list goes on. So when we have long distance movie nights, I turn to Shipt to get face masks, snacks and everything else we need delivered to her and to me same day. Download the app or visit Shipt.com that's S-H I-P-T.com this holiday season, give the gift of incredible sound with Vizio's full soundbar lineup available at Walmart. Transform any living into a home theater with rich, immersive audio that brings every movie, show and song to life. Whether you're gifting a loved one or upgrading your own setup, Vizio Soundbars deliver powerful, crystal clear sound that turns ordinary watching into extraordinary experiences Stream your favorite holiday Playlist with the iHeartRadio app and discover how good your music can truly sound. Head to Walmart.com and find your perfect Vizio soundbar today. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.