Lawmaker DROPS A BOMB – ILLEGAL!?

Minnesota Democratic lawmaker Kaohly Vang Her stunned colleagues by revealing her family entered the U.S. illegally during a heated debate over healthcare for undocumented immigrants that has cost taxpayers triple the projected amount.

At a Glance

  • Minnesota Rep. Kaohly Vang Her admitted she and her family are in the U.S. illegally after fleeing Vietnam, using falsified paperwork to enter
  • Applications for free state healthcare by undocumented residents have reached 17,400 – triple the expected 5,800, with costs now estimated at over $600 million
  • Republicans have proposed legislation to eliminate state benefits for undocumented immigrants, calling the program “treasonous”
  • Democrats control the Minnesota Senate and argue undocumented residents contribute to the economy and deserve healthcare access
  • The debate is part of a special legislative session focused on budget bills being sent to Governor Walz

Lawmaker’s Shocking Revelation

During a special session of the Minnesota Legislature focused on healthcare eligibility for undocumented immigrants, State Representative Kaohly Vang Her made the extraordinary admission that she and her family entered the United States illegally. Her revealed that after fleeing Vietnam following the war, her family’s entry was facilitated through falsified paperwork. Her father, who worked at the U.S. Consulate processing refugee documentation, used his position to create fraudulent family connections that allowed their immigration.

Her explained that despite her grandfather’s military service and her father’s work for a Christian organization, their family was repeatedly denied legal entry into the United States. “We did not have our names on that list to come to the U.S.,” Her stated during the legislative debate. She emphasized that immigrants don’t choose their destinations based on welfare benefits but out of necessity for survival.

Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs

The emotional testimony comes amid intense scrutiny of Minnesota’s program providing healthcare to undocumented residents. Applications have surged to 17,400, more than triple the 5,800 initially projected when the program was approved. This dramatic increase has pushed estimated costs from $220 million to over $600 million over four years, sparking fierce debate about fiscal responsibility and immigration policy.

“This program creates an incentive for illegal immigrants to come to Minnesota.”, said Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls.

Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to eliminate state benefits for undocumented immigrants, with some using exceptionally strong language to condemn the program. Representative Isaac Schultz from Elmwood Township called the healthcare provision “the closest thing that you will ever see to treason, where taxpayer dollars are going to fund people who are here illegally.”

Political Standoff

The issue has created a clear partisan divide in Minnesota’s legislature. Democrats control the Senate, and the House is evenly split, making it unlikely that services for undocumented residents will be eliminated despite the cost overruns. DFL Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy has warned that cutting healthcare for the undocumented could potentially lead to higher costs through increased emergency room visits and uncompensated care.

“What we did two years ago is make sure we add them to our health insurance coverage because we see a need for that. These folks contribute to our economy, they contribute to our society, they are taxpayers.”, stated Sen. Zaynab Mohamed, DFL-Minneapolis.

Minnesota doctors and hospitals have expressed support for maintaining healthcare coverage for undocumented residents, citing reduced emergency room visits as a benefit. The current debate is occurring during a special legislative session at the State Capitol in St. Paul, where budget bills are being finalized and sent to Governor Tim Walz for approval. Despite repeated requests for comment, Representative Her’s office has not responded to media inquiries following her public disclosure.

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