Minnesota politics managed to outdo itself again, and that is saying something. A few months after going viral for declaring herself an “illegal alien” on the legislative floor, Kaohly Vang Her has now been sworn in as mayor of St. Paul. Yes, really. The same clip that set social media on fire is now being memory-holed as a misunderstood moment, even though the words came straight out of her mouth.
During a June debate in the Minnesota House, Vang Her said, “I am illegal in this country. My parents are illegal here in this country,” while arguing for taxpayer-funded health care for undocumented immigrants. The clip spread quickly and understandably raised questions. After all, calling yourself an illegal alien while serving in elected office is not exactly a normal résumé bullet point.
https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/2007235113776755036
The backstory, however, is more complicated, and also more revealing. Vang Her was born in Laos and immigrated to the United States as a child. She has openly stated that her father lied on immigration paperwork to get the family into the country under a refugee program they did not fully qualify for. That admission alone would normally end a political career. In Minnesota, it apparently counts as a compelling campaign narrative.
Technically speaking, she is not an illegal immigrant. Vang Her became a naturalized U.S. citizen while still a minor, deriving citizenship after her parents naturalized. Multiple outlets confirmed that she is legally eligible to hold office, and she served in the Minnesota House from 2019 to 2025 before running for mayor. After the backlash, she clarified that her comments referred to her family’s initial entry, not her current legal status.
That clarification did not stop the narrative from sticking. The emotional appeal clearly worked. After the controversy, Vang Her ran for mayor of St. Paul and won. This week, she was officially sworn in, becoming the city’s first female and first Hmong American mayor. Coverage from Sahan Journal called the moment historic and extraordinary, which is the standard language now used whenever identity politics checks enough boxes.
In her remarks, Vang Her promised to put immigrants first, literally. She said she wants to limit federal immigration agents’ access to city spaces and work with the City Council on ordinances restricting their operations. That includes banning agents from organizing in public parks. This comes after stepped-up enforcement in the Twin Cities, where Somali, Hmong, and Latino immigrants were arrested last month.
She also talked about economic prosperity, downtown businesses, and maintaining public assets like the Grand Casino Arena, home of the Minnesota Wild. Those comments were mostly drowned out by her emphasis on immigration and resistance to federal enforcement.
So yes, Minnesota elected a mayor whose viral rise came from calling herself an illegal alien, even though it was not quite true. The emotional sob story resonated, especially in a city where appealing to grievance politics is practically a campaign strategy. It is hard not to notice that the people most energized by this message often seem more invested in importing problems than fixing the ones already there. Of course, it is Minnesota.
Kaohly Vang Her is sworn in as the next mayor of St. Paul. Her is the first woman and first Hmong American to lead the city as mayor @SahanJournal pic.twitter.com/fWCHDfRIMW
— Katrina Pross (@katrina_pross) January 2, 2026
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