San Diego Leaders Condemn Harassment of Somali Child Care Providers

Officials say online allegations of fraud are false and leading to profiling and targeting of local businesses.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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San Diego elected officials are condemning what they call harassment and hate targeting Somali child care providers, following online allegations of widespread fraud that local leaders say are false. A coalition of state and local elected officials, including Assemblymember Chris Ward, spoke out, saying child care providers in San Diego neighborhoods are being profiled and harassed after a video by self-described independent journalist Nick Shirley gained hundreds of millions of views on social media, alleging fraud at Somali-run day cares in Minnesota.

Why it matters

The controversy highlights growing concerns about the spread of misinformation online and the real-world impacts it can have on minority communities, even in areas far from the original allegations. Local leaders are vowing to push back against any harassment or targeting of child care providers based on their ethnicity or religion.

The details

After reports surfaced that Shirley traveled to San Diego, local leaders said similar communities were being targeted. A coalition of state and local elected officials, including Assemblymember Chris Ward, spoke out, saying child care providers in San Diego neighborhoods are being profiled and harassed. Ward said the activity has expanded into neighborhoods such as City Heights. Last month, the United Domestic Workers of America labor union held a press conference to share the experience of a local child care provider. Amy Reichert, a local activist and former candidate for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, said she accompanied Shirley to local businesses and claimed to have found health and safety violations, though she denied targeting any racial or ethnic group.

  • In February 2026, San Diego elected officials condemned the harassment targeting Somali child care providers.
  • Last month, the United Domestic Workers of America labor union held a press conference to share the experience of a local child care provider.

The players

Chris Ward

A California Assemblymember who spoke out against the harassment targeting Somali child care providers in San Diego neighborhoods.

Nick Shirley

A self-described independent journalist whose video alleging fraud at Somali-run day cares in Minnesota gained hundreds of millions of views on social media and led to targeting of similar communities in San Diego.

Samsum Khalif

A local child care provider who spoke at a press conference held by the United Domestic Workers of America labor union, saying "The lies about widespread fraud and abuse must stop. They are putting people, including children, in real danger."

Amy Reichert

A local activist and former candidate for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors who accompanied Shirley to local businesses and claimed to have found health and safety violations, though she denied targeting any racial or ethnic group.

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What they’re saying

“You know they are now going into City Heights and into areas in our community and targeting the very same individuals and it's harmful.”

— Chris Ward, California Assemblymember

“The lies about widespread fraud and abuse must stop. They are putting people, including children, in real danger.”

— Samsum Khalif, Child care provider

What’s next

Local leaders said they are prepared to respond if the harassment of Somali child care providers continues, vowing to push back against any activity that is "Islamophobic or racist or otherwise, you know, targeting them as individuals or a community."

The takeaway

This controversy highlights the real-world impacts that the spread of misinformation online can have on minority communities, even in areas far from the original allegations. San Diego officials are standing up to defend their local child care providers and send a strong message that harassment and targeting based on ethnicity or religion will not be tolerated.