Rep. Kaohly Vang Her’s remarks on the Minnesota House floor have sparked intense debate. During a legislative session on MinnesotaCare eligibility for undocumented immigrants, she revealed that her family entered the United States illegally. Her stated that her father altered immigration paperwork to secure their entry, a revelation that immediately drew scrutiny.
Her’s statement, “I am illegal in this country. My parents are illegal here in this country,” was intended to evoke empathy from lawmakers considering restrictions on state-funded healthcare for undocumented adults. She argued that her family’s ability to navigate the system was a matter of privilege rather than legality.
This admission has raised serious questions. Her’s legal status and ability to serve in office have come under fire, with Republican Rep. Walter Hudson calling for an investigation. The controversy intensified as media outlets dissected her words, questioning whether she knowingly misrepresented her status.
Following the backlash, Her clarified that she and her parents are U.S. citizens. She explained that her father’s actions expedited their refugee status, but they would have been eligible to immigrate regardless. Her became a citizen as a minor after her parents completed their naturalization process. The political fallout will likely continue as lawmakers and the public weigh the implications of her statements.
Sources
https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/minnesota-state-lawmaker-confesses-shes-illegal-immigrant
https://www.newsweek.com/democrat-her-minnesota-vietnam-illegal-immigration-2083146
https://www.yahoo.com/news/minnesota-state-representative-admits-she-210451870.html