Federal authorities launched an extensive investigation in Minnesota on Monday, prompted by a video posted by an independent journalist that purportedly exposes fraud in daycare centers.

The investigation has seen Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actively working in Minneapolis, according to a statement shared by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on X.

Fox News Digital has requested comments from the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, and the FBI regarding the ongoing investigation.

Authorities from Homeland Security were involved in the significant probe in Minneapolis, following the weekend release of a video that claims to uncover daycare fraud.

Secretary Noem shared a video online showing HSI agents engaging with an individual outside a building. However, the nature of the business associated with the individual remains unspecified.

Another video posted by ICE showed investigators going door-to-door at various sites. 

“The American people deserve answers on how their taxpayer money is being used and ARRESTS when abuse is found. Under the leadership of @Sec_Noem, DHS is working to deliver results,” the agency wrote on X. 

Still reeling from a $250M fraud scheme in which several people have been charged, Minnesota was thrust into the spotlight again this weekend after independent journalist Nick Shirley on Friday posted a 42-minute video on YouTube, documenting visits to several daycare centers in the blue state.

Independent journalist Nick Shirley (Fox News)

In one clip, Shirley and a man are seen at what appears to be a largely inactive childcare facility. 

The building also displays a misspelled sign reading “Quality Learing Center,” even though the center reportedly is supposed to account for 99 children and received roughly $4 million in state funds.

The video immediately sparked widespread backlash, drawing criticism of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz from several high-profile figures, including Vice President JD Vance, Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., Donald Trump Jr. and Elon Musk.

On Sunday, the White House reposted an X post from Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who called the alleged fraud a “breathtaking failure that has happened under the watch” of Walz.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has said “Minnesota is a prosperous state, a well-run state.” (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)

During a Sunday appearance on Fox News’ “The Big Weekend Show,” Shirley said the alleged fraud was “so obvious” that a “kindergartner could figure out that there is fraud going on.”

“Fraud is fraud, and we work too hard simply just to be paying taxes and enabling fraud to be happening,” he said. 

Over the weekend, FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency surged additional personnel and investigative resources to Minnesota as part of an ongoing effort to “dismantle large-scale fraud schemes exploiting federal programs.”

At the time of the video’s release, Walz was already under heavy fire amid the scandal enveloping his administration that notably included at least $1 billion lost to alleged social services fraud largely tied to Minneapolis’ Somali community.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the governor’s office for comment, but they did not immediately respond.