Minnesota State Representative Kaohly Vang Her shockingly admitted to being in the United States illegally during a heated debate over healthcare access for undocumented immigrants, just as the state legislature voted to strip MinnesotaCare benefits from thousands of illegal residents.
Key Takeaways
- The Minnesota Legislature passed a bill ending MinnesotaCare coverage for undocumented adults, expected to save $56.9 million in the 2026-27 biennium
- Over 20,000 undocumented immigrants are currently enrolled in MinnesotaCare, with the change taking effect January 1, 2026
- State Rep. Kaohly Vang Her revealed her own undocumented status during the debate, stating her family fled Vietnam and entered the US through altered paperwork
- Republicans pushed for the repeal citing fiscal responsibility, while Democrats opposed it on humanitarian grounds
- The bill passed despite protests and emotional testimony, with some Democrats reluctantly voting for it as part of budget negotiations
Taxpayer Relief as MinnesotaCare for Illegals Ends
The Minnesota Legislature has delivered a significant victory for taxpayers by voting to end MinnesotaCare eligibility for undocumented immigrants. The bill, which passed with a 68-65 vote in the House and 37-30 in the Senate, will terminate healthcare coverage for illegal adults beginning January 1, 2026. This decisive action comes as the program’s costs have already exceeded initial estimates, with $3.9 million in claims filed between January and April alone. The repeal is projected to save Minnesota taxpayers nearly $57 million in the 2026-27 budget cycle, redirecting those funds to support legal residents and citizens.
Republican lawmakers championed the bill as a necessary measure to protect the state’s financial stability. “If California and Illinois can’t make the numbers work, what makes us think Minnesota can? The question before us is simple: Will we continue down a path of fiscal recklessness or will we act now to protect Minnesota taxpayers?,” said Rep. Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, emphasizing the unsustainable fiscal trajectory of providing state-funded healthcare to those who entered the country illegally.
Democrat Rep. Liish Kozlowski during state health care for illegal immigrants debate: "We're standing on the stolen land in the halls of power that were built on stolen labor. No one can be illegal on stolen land." pic.twitter.com/kjJ6KK7rEw
— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) June 9, 2025
Lawmaker’s Surprising Immigration Status Revelation
During the contentious special session debate, Minnesota State Representative Kaohly Vang Her made the stunning admission that she herself is in the United States illegally. She revealed that her family fled Vietnam after the war under the belief they had legitimate entry, only to discover later this was not the case. According to Her’s testimony, her father, who worked at the U.S. Consulate, manipulated paperwork to facilitate their entry into America by falsely listing a relative as a USAID worker.
“We did not have our names on that list to come to the U.S. What my father did was, one of our uncles worked for USAID, and because his mother had died, my father, as the one processing the paperwork, put my grandmother down as his mother,” said Kaohly Vang, openly admitting to immigration fraud that facilitated her family’s entry into the United States.
Her shocking revelation raises serious questions about eligibility for public office and proper vetting procedures for candidates. Despite serving as an elected official making laws for American citizens, Her’s office has not responded to requests for comment from multiple news outlets regarding her immigration status and whether she has since taken steps to legitimize her presence in the country. This silence only intensifies concerns about potential violations of election laws and oath of office requirements.
Democrats Divided Over Budget Compromise
The bill’s passage exposed deep divisions within the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, with some members reluctantly supporting the measure despite personal objections. The legislation was the result of three weeks of closed-door negotiations to finalize Minnesota’s state budget. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy was among the four Democrats who joined Republicans in voting for the bill, citing her commitment to the budget agreement despite her personal reservations.
“We cannot justify spending hundreds of millions on individuals who broke the law to enter the country while we face cuts to special education, nursing homes, and disability services,” said Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, highlighting the financial trade-offs that forced even reluctant lawmakers to prioritize American citizens over illegal immigrants.
Governor Tim Walz is expected to sign the bill into law, as the legislation includes a provision that could withhold funding from the state health department if he refuses. The compromise bill represents a significant departure from the progressive agenda that initially expanded MinnesotaCare to undocumented adults, reflecting growing public concern about the costs of providing government benefits to illegal immigrants at a time when many American citizens struggle with healthcare affordability.
Impact on Illegal Immigrant Communities
Currently, more than 20,000 undocumented immigrants are enrolled in MinnesotaCare, with approximately 24% being children who will retain coverage under the new law. The program has been operating at higher costs than initially projected, confirming warnings from fiscal conservatives about the financial burden of extending state benefits to non-citizens. Demonstrators protested the bill with signs reading “Health care cuts kill,” but lawmakers ultimately prioritized fiscal responsibility over expanding services to those who entered the country illegally.
“Nobody leaves their country unless they have to leave that country,” Kaohly Vang claimed during the debate, attempting to generate sympathy for illegal immigrants by suggesting they had no choice but to break American immigration laws.
While the bill ends coverage for undocumented adults, an amendment to extend eligibility to those over 59 or with critical health conditions was proposed but did not pass. The law represents a victory for President Trump’s America-first approach to government resources, ensuring taxpayer dollars benefit legal residents rather than those who circumvented proper immigration channels. This outcome aligns with the growing national consensus that government benefits should be reserved for citizens and legal immigrants who followed the rules to enter and remain in our country.
