'Not all cultures are equal': Rep Randy Fine defends Trump admin’s crackdown on Somali migrants after billion dollar fraud scheme in Minnesota

Representative Randy Fine has defended President Donald Trump’s criticisms of Somali migrants in America, arguing that “not all cultures are equal.” This comes amid a focus on Somali migrants in the US, as dozens have been charged or convicted in connection with fraud schemes in Minnesota totaling over $1 billion.

Fine joined CNN's Boris Sanchez, who questioned him about Trump’s recent comments in which he called Somalis “filthy.” Sanchez pressed Fine on his earlier suggestion of stripping citizenship from Somalis and sending them home, asking whether he would support a hierarchy of which immigrants are allowed into the United States based on nationalities and race.

“I’m not comfortable with a hierarchy of races, the president isn't either,” Fine said. “But not all cultures are equal, and not all countries are equal. There are some people who come to this country to add value, and there are some that come to this country to take value.”

Fine claimed that “50 percent” of Somalis who were naturalized have engaged in immigration fraud and said the country is witnessing “the largest fraud in terms of welfare programs, perhaps in the history of our country.” In Minnesota, the group Feeding Out Future claimed to have fed hungry children during the pandemic. This, however, did not happen, and instead, the money went to organizers' pockets for luxury goods. This has been called the largest Covid pandemic relief fraud scheme.

“The president speaks in language that Americans understand. He is blunt,” Fine added. “I support as he is making people understand the threats that we are under right now.”

Trump spoke at a rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, where he highlighted his administration’s efforts to pause immigration from several countries, including Somalia. "I’ve also announced a permanent pause on Third World migration, including from hellholes like Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia and many other countries," Trump said.

"We always take people from Somalia, places that are a disaster, right?" Trump continued. "Filthy, dirty, disgusting, ridden with crime. The only thing they’re good at is going after ships."

The White House defended Trump’s remarks, with spokeswoman Abigail Jackson telling news outlets, “President Trump is right. Aliens who come to our country, complain about how much they hate America, fail to contribute to our economy, and refuse to assimilate into our society should not be here.”