Overview

• Rep. Kaohly Vang Her told colleagues on Monday that her family illegally entered the country and described herself as “illegal” while debating a bill to expand MinnesotaCare to undocumented immigrants.
• The viral footage of her remarks prompted conservative influencers to demand that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigate her status.
• Public records and Minnesota law requiring candidates to be U.S. citizens for at least three months before an election confirm Vang Her’s naturalized status and eligibility to serve.
• In a Tuesday statement, Vang Her said her initial comments were meant to humanize undocumented residents and accused critics of twisting her words into anti-immigrant clickbait.
• Her clarification has fueled debate in the Minnesota Legislature over eligibility rules for officeholders and efforts to extend health coverage to undocumented immigrants.