Minnesota State Representative Kaohly Vang Her shocked legislators by confessing her status as an illegal immigrant during a heated debate over healthcare access for undocumented residents, revealing that her father falsified documents to bring their family to America after the Vietnam War.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota Legislature voted to end MinnesotaCare health coverage for undocumented adults, saving an estimated $56.9 million in the 2026-27 budget cycle
- State Rep. Kaohly Vang Her admitted during the debate that she and her family entered the U.S. illegally after the Vietnam War through falsified paperwork
- Over 20,000 undocumented immigrants are currently enrolled in MinnesotaCare, with program costs running slightly higher than initial estimates
- The bill passed with Republican support and some Democratic votes despite protests from immigrant advocates and progressive lawmakers
- The eligibility change will take effect on January 1, 2026, as part of a compromise to pass Minnesota’s two-year state budget
Lawmaker’s Shocking Admission During Healthcare Debate
In a remarkable moment during Minnesota’s legislative special session, Democratic State Representative Kaohly Vang Her revealed her own undocumented status while debating the future of healthcare coverage for illegal immigrants. Her’s unexpected disclosure came as lawmakers considered a bill to end MinnesotaCare eligibility for undocumented adults, a measure that ultimately passed despite fierce opposition from progressive Democrats. The revelation adds a deeply personal dimension to what has already been a contentious policy battle over taxpayer-funded benefits for those who entered the country illegally.
Her shared that her family fled Vietnam after the war, believing they had legal permission to enter America due to her grandfather’s military service. However, she later learned this was not the case. “We did not have our names on that list to come to the U.S.,” Her admitted during floor debate. She explained that her father, who worked for the U.S. Consulate, altered documentation to facilitate their immigration by falsely listing a relative as a USAID worker. This admission raises serious questions about the legitimacy of Her’s presence in the United States and her eligibility to serve as an elected official.
Minnesota Repeals Healthcare For Illegal Immigrants
The Minnesota Legislature ultimately passed the bill ending MinnesotaCare coverage for undocumented adults after a four-hour debate in the House. The measure passed the House 68-65 and the Senate 37-30, with all Republicans supporting it and a small number of Democrats crossing party lines. The eligibility change will take effect on January 1, 2026, and is expected to save Minnesota taxpayers $56.9 million in the 2026-27 budget cycle. This represents a significant victory for fiscal conservatives who have argued that the state cannot afford to provide generous benefits to those who violated immigration laws.
“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.
The debate highlighted the stark divide between those concerned about fiscal responsibility and those prioritizing universal access to healthcare regardless of immigration status. Republicans successfully argued that Minnesota taxpayers should not bear the financial burden of providing healthcare to illegal immigrants when the state faces budget constraints in other critical areas. Data revealed that over 20,000 undocumented immigrants are currently enrolled in MinnesotaCare, with 24% being children, and program costs have run slightly higher than initially estimated at $3.9 million in claims from January to April.
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
Political Fallout and Ongoing Tensions
The bill’s passage came after three weeks of closed-door negotiations to finalize Minnesota’s state budget. Governor Tim Walz is expected to sign the legislation, with funding for the health department potentially being withheld if he refuses. Even some Democratic leaders who personally opposed the change felt compelled to vote for it as part of the broader budget compromise. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, a Democrat from St. Paul, called it “among the most painful votes I’ve ever taken” despite ultimately supporting the measure.
“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.
Protesters gathered at the Capitol during the special session, holding signs reading “Health care cuts kill” and expressing outrage over what they viewed as an attack on vulnerable populations. Progressive lawmakers echoed these sentiments during the debate, with Rep. Jamie Long, a Minneapolis Democrat, claiming the bill was cruel and inhumane. Her’s personal disclosure was clearly intended to humanize the issue, emphasizing that her family came to America seeking safety rather than government benefits. Yet many conservatives view this as irrelevant to the core policy question of whether taxpayers should fund benefits for those who entered the country illegally.
