Fox News has published what it describes as a “shocking discovery” in Minnesota’s sprawling welfare fraud scandal: photos allegedly showing Abdul Dahir Ibrahim—a Somali national accused of being involved in welfare and food aid fraud—posing with Rep. Ilhan Omar and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

To date, the photos have not been authenticated by any independent agency, and neither Omar nor Walz have been accused of wrongdoing. But politically, the image alone has caused a wave of outrage.

WHO IS ABDUL DAHIR IBRAHIM? (The facts have been confirmed)

Here’s what Fox News, DHS documents, and court records confirm:

✔ Entered the U.S. in 2000

According to DHS records cited by Fox.

✔ Under a final deportation order from 2004

Ibrahim is said to have appealed the expiration of the order two decades ago but was never deported.

✔ A history of fraud in Canada

Before coming to the U.S., Canadian authorities convicted him of asylum and welfare fraud.

✔ Improperly granted TPS (Temporary Protected Status)

ICE officials said he was entitled to 10 years of TPS protection, despite not being eligible based on his immigration history.

The reasons for this — administrative error, mistaken identity, or intentional deception — are now a core part of DHS’s internal review process.

✔ Now linked to Minnesota’s widespread fraud investigations

Ibrahim is said to be a prominent figure in a series of cases involving the misuse of child nutrition funds and health care reimbursements — though he has not yet been prosecuted.

PHOTOS: WHAT’S VERIFIED & WHAT’S NOT VERIFIED

Fox News claims the photos show:

Ilhan Omar standing next to Ibrahim at a community event

Governor Tim Walz appears with Ibrahim in a group setting

Fox is touting the images as “evidence” of closeness between Minnesota Democratic Party leadership and individuals involved in massive fraud.

Conservative social media accounts are spreading the photos as “evidence of corruption,” while mainstream media outlets urge caution until verified.

POLITICAL IMPACT: IMMEDIATE & EXPLOSIVE

Whether or not these photos mean anything, the emergence of a connection has sparked:

Conservative reaction

Claims of a “Somali political machine”

Pressure for mass deportation grows

Calls to investigate Walz and Omar for “ties” to scam networks

Progressive reaction

Allegations of Islamophobia

Accusing Fox of “creating guilt by association”

Warnings that these stories incite racist backlash against all Somalis in Minnesota

In Minnesota

This is between:

Prosecution of $250 million Feed Our Future fraud

Accusations that the Walz administration ignored early warnings

Executives Trump’s new move targets Somalis with Temporary Resident Status (TPS)

The Somali-American community — numbering more than 100,000 — is already on edge due to aggressive ICE operations. This latest development will only add to the tensions.

CONCLUSION: WHAT WE KNOW NOW

✔ Photo available but not verified
✔ Ibrahim has a documented fraud conviction
✔ He remains in the U.S. despite a 2004 deportation order
✔ He is under close scrutiny in Minnesota’s major fraud investigations
✔ There is no evidence that Omar or Walz knew or were involved in his alleged crimes
✔ This story has strong political ramifications — and will spread quickly

…Updating