During a legislative debate on Monday, Minnesota State Representative Kaohly Vang Her openly admitted during a special session of the Minnesota Legislature that she and her family have been living in the U.S. illegally since fleeing Vietnam after the war. The session, convened by Governor Tim Walz, was focused on adjusting MinnesotaCare eligibility for undocumented adult immigrants. Her used the opportunity to share her family’s story, which has sparked significant discussion about immigration policies and the broader implications of the debate.
Her detailed how her father, who worked at the U.S. Consulate, played a key role in the family’s migration. While her family initially believed they had been granted entry due to her grandfather’s military service, her father revealed the truth: their application was fabricated. Her father, who could speak English and type quickly, processed the paperwork for refugees, including her family, and found a way to include them by altering the documents. Her explained that her family missed several immigration opportunities and finally secured entry by fudging the paperwork, which allowed them to enter the U.S. illegally.
Her’s account highlighted the emotional and moral complexities of her family’s situation. She emphasized that her family’s primary motivation was survival rather than an interest in accessing benefits.