Fact Check: Did Kristi Noem claim that 50 percent of Minnesota’s visas and programs are fraudulent?

WASHINGTON, DC: A widely shared claim asserts that 50% of visas issued in Minnesota are fraudulent.

The allegation stems from remarks by Kristi Noem, US Secretary of Homeland Security. She accused the state of widespread immigration fraud and suggested that many visa recipients exploited government programs.

But how much of this story is actually true?

Claim: Kristi Noem alleges 50 percent of Minnesota visas are fraudulent

In December 2025, a claim began circulating online that 50% of visas in Minnesota were fraudulent.

The claim gained attention after Noem stated at a Cabinet meeting on December 2, "You told me to look into Minnesota and their fraud on visas and their programs. Fifty percent of them are fraudulent."

On the same day, news aggregator NewsWire posted on X, stating, "NOEM: 50% OF VISAS IN MINNESOTA ARE FRAUDULENT."

The claim also spread across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky.

On Facebook, posts said, "Sec. Kristi Noem discovered that 50% of visas in Tim Walz's MINNESOTA are FRAUDULENT."

An Instagram video claimed, "Kristi Noem: 50% of them are fraudulent, which means that whacko Gov. Walz either is an IDIOT or did it on PURPOSE! I think HE’S BOTH."

Threads posts promoted the claim, writing, “BREAKING: 50% of visas in Minnesota are fraudulent, per Kristi Noem.”

On Bluesky, a post quoted Noem: “You told me to look into Minnesota and their fraud on visas and their programs, 50% of them are fraudulent, that means that wacko Governor Tim Walz is an idiot, or he did it on purpose, I think it's both.”

Fact Check: Noem provided no data to support 50 percent claim

During the Cabinet meeting, Noem appeared to blame Minnesota's Governor Tim Walz for the alleged visa fraud, saying he "brought people in there illegally that never should have been in this country."

However, she did not clarify which visa categories or government programs she was referring to when citing the 50% fraud rate, and she provided no supporting data.

A representative for Walz’s office said in an email: "These comments were puzzling seeing as the federal government is responsible for immigration and visas." The spokesperson added that Minnesota does not track visa fraud and does not lead immigration investigations.

States do not manage immigration systems or issue visas. Immigration oversight has been handled federally by USCIS under the Department of Homeland Security since 2003, and the federal government has overseen immigration since 1891. Visas for individuals seeking entry into the United States are issued by the State Department.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online