Friends and neighbors –
A few months ago, I wrote about how President Biden’s border failures are impacting us here in Minnesota, where illegal immigrants are arriving at shelters in Hennepin County in large numbers.
Minnesota Democrats have also been doing their part to lay out the welcome mat for undocumented immigrants. Last session, they passed two noteworthy, controversial pieces of legislation that extend state benefits to illegal immigrants: MinnesotaCare and driver’s licenses.
State health insurance for Illegal Immigrants
Last session’s health and human services omnibus bill included a provision to expand enrollment in the state’s MinnesotaCare health insurance program to undocumented immigrants. This is the state’s health insurance program for low-income families and individuals.
Beginning on January 1, 2025, MinnesotaCare will be opened up to all low-income residents regardless of immigration status. This makes Minnesota the second state after California to provide state health insurance to illegal immigrants. (Washington D.C. also allows undocumented immigrants to enroll in a public health plan.) Estimates show about 80,000 illegal immigrants live in Minnesota. It is expected that around 40,000 will be covered, at a cost of $109 million to Minnesota taxpayers.
I get calls from people every day who are struggling to afford their own health care. From people who can’t afford their energy bills, their rent, or their groceries. Daily life has gotten unsustainably expensive.
I have serious concerns with how this became law. Democrats added the provision to a massive health care bill late in session. There was hardly an opportunity for the public to become aware of it and provide feedback. But my bigger concern is that it is unfair. With Minnesota citizens – American citizens – facing so much pressure on their budgets it is simply outrageous to make them also foot the bill for people who are here illegally. Our priority should be helping our own citizens.
Driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants
Last March, Governor Tim Walz signed a bill allowing immigrants residing illegally in Minnesota to obtain a state driver’s license. Many of my Republican colleagues and I tried to add safeguards to the bill, including distinct markings to prevent fraud. Those efforts were rejected by Senate Democrats.
Everyone wants safe roads but the law that Democrats approved goes far beyond public safety. For example, same day voter registration policies allow people to register to vote on the day of an election using a driver’s license to verify a potential voter’s home address. Those ballots will be accepted without confirming that potential voter is even eligible.
We use driver’s licenses for all kinds of activities other than driving. It is essential that we protect the integrity of those other uses by affirming the name, residence, date of birth, and immigration status of the holder. Unfortunately, Democrats did not agree.
Contact me
I love hearing your feedback. If you have any questions or comments about the issues we are working on, please contact me anytime. My email is sen.glenn.gruenhagen@senate.mn, or you can call me at 651-296-4131.
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It is a privilege to serve you. God Bless.