Minnesota State Representative Kaohly Vang Her admitted during a heated legislative debate that she and her family have been living in the United States illegally since fleeing Vietnam after the war, a stunning revelation that came as lawmakers voted to end healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants in the state.
Key Takeaways
- The Minnesota Legislature has passed a bill ending MinnesotaCare eligibility for undocumented adult immigrants, expected to save $56.9 million in the 2026-27 biennium.
- Over 20,000 undocumented immigrants are currently enrolled in MinnesotaCare, with program costs running slightly higher than initially estimated at $3.9 million in claims from January to April.
- State Representative Kaohly Vang Her revealed her family’s undocumented status during the debate, explaining they fled Vietnam after the war and her father altered paperwork while working at the U.S. Consulate.
- The change to MinnesotaCare eligibility will take effect January 1, 2026, following a compromise between Republicans and Democrats to pass the state budget.
- Governor Tim Walz is expected to sign the bill, with funding for the health department potentially being withheld if he refuses.
Lawmaker’s Shocking Immigration Status Revelation
During a special session of the Minnesota Legislature discussing healthcare access for undocumented immigrants, Representative Kaohly Vang Her made a stunning admission about her own immigration status. Kaohly Vang revealed that she and her family entered the United States illegally after fleeing Vietnam in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. The Democratic lawmaker explained that her family had long believed they were granted entry legally due to her grandfather’s military service, only to discover years later this was not the case.
Her father, who worked for the U.S. Consulate, had manipulated paperwork to secure passage to America for his family. “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,” Kaohly Vang said during the legislative debate. The revelation came during a contentious discussion about ending state-funded healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants in Minnesota.
She emphasized that her family’s immigration wasn’t driven by a desire to exploit American welfare systems but was instead a matter of survival. “Nobody leaves their country unless they have to leave that country,” Kaohly Vang stated during her emotional testimony. Despite the personal disclosure, Her’s office has not responded to requests for comment from multiple news organizations seeking clarification on her current immigration status and how it might affect her position as an elected official.
MinnesotaCare Eligibility Changes Spark Intense Debate
The Minnesota Legislature has passed a bill that will end MinnesotaCare eligibility for undocumented adult immigrants by January 1, 2026. The measure passed the House by a 68-65 vote and the Senate by 37-30, reflecting deep divisions on the issue. Republicans, who made repealing the law a top priority, argued that providing taxpayer-funded healthcare to illegal immigrants is fiscally irresponsible, especially when citizens face cuts to essential services.
“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,” Sen. Jordan Rasmusson said during the debate. The legislative change is projected to save Minnesota $56.9 million in the 2026-27 budget cycle, according to official estimates.
Democrats largely opposed the change but ultimately compromised to secure passage of the state’s two-year budget. The program currently serves over 20,000 undocumented immigrants, with claims in the first four months of implementation totaling $3.9 million, slightly above initial projections. Democratic lawmakers and immigrant advocates staged protests at the Capitol, with demonstrators holding signs reading “Health care cuts kill.”
During debate on the House floor Monday surrounding ending state-funding healthcare for undocumented adults in the state, Rep. Kaohly Vang Her revealed she and her parents came to the U.S. illegally — something she also claimed to have just recently fou… https://t.co/jYjNn4v4n0
— KSTP (@KSTP) June 10, 2025
Budget Compromise Forces Tough Decisions
The legislative agreement came after three weeks of closed-door negotiations to finalize Minnesota’s state budget, which includes 14 separate bills. Some Democratic leaders, despite personal opposition to the healthcare cuts, felt compelled to honor the compromise. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy was among four Democrats who crossed party lines to vote for the bill, calling it “among the most painful votes I’ve ever taken.”
“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?,” Rep. Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, argued during floor debate, highlighting growing concerns about the program’s financial sustainability.
Democrats attempted to soften the impact by proposing an amendment that would have extended eligibility to undocumented adults over 59 or those with critical health conditions, but the measure failed to pass. The House People of Color and Indigenous Caucus issued a statement condemning the cuts, saying, “These aren’t just policy debates; they’re life-and-death decisions that will leave families without care when they need it most.” Governor Tim Walz is expected to sign the legislation, with Republican lawmakers having built in consequences should he refuse – potentially withholding funding for the health department.
