‘Supposed to be a safe place’: Parents, state leaders weigh in as home visits from activists rattle child-care providers

Days after a well-known YouTuber and other content creators visited San Diego child care providers’ homes, state officials are denouncing what they say is targeted harassment of providers — especially those of Somali descent — and are advising them on how to report the unwanted visits.

Citing harassment, Attorney General Rob Bonta this week publicized guidance for providers on how to report possible hate crimes and for law enforcement on investigating them. He noted it’s a hate crime in California if someone is targeted for their actual or perceived nationality, including immigration or citizenship status.

The guidance comes weeks after providers warned of ongoing harassment at a press conference with elected officials in Rolando, and days after a visit to San Diego earlier this month from internet video creator Nick Shirley.

Shirley has drawn nationwide attention for a December video focused on care providers in Minnesota, where allegations of fraud in public benefits programs had previously prompted state and federal investigations. The Trump administration has used such claims to j...