IMMIGRATION
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An UNdocumented Immigrant is a person residing in the United States WITHOUT LEGAL STATUS. They lack visas, work permits, or other documentation that allows them to stay.
An Illegal Immigrant is a person entering or staying in the U.S. in VIOLATON OF IMMIGRATION LAWS, perhaps after a visa expires. Personally, I do not see a discernible difference between the 2 definitions!
In Minnesota, the white population is just under 52%. The next largest population is the Black community at 26%, and, surprisingly, Native Americans at 2/10th of a percent. The immigrant populations include Hispanics at 18%, Somalians at 8%, followed by Asians just under 6%.
The Black community is left to fend for itself. The DFL and our DFL Senator Kunesh have focused on authoring and passing legislation for Native Americans despite their composing less than 1% of our population. Asians statistics are difficult to find. The most promoted and protected by the DFL, with the most alarming statistics: the Somali community, with only 2% more than Asians, is at 8%.
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Let's give that some context:
According to the Center for Immigration Studies (a non-profit advocate for immigration since 1985), states approximately 81% of Somali/Immigrant households in Minnesota receive some level of welfare: Medicaid or food stamps, and may include cash assistance. About 89% of Somali households with children utilize some form of public assistance, ranging from 27% - 70% utilization, depending on the program. AND, 69% of Somalis still live in poverty 10 years after arrival, and most do not speak English well, if at all.
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Compare that to the Hispanic population: 24% receiving some form of welfare benefits; only 8% unemployment; and 86% speak English well or very well!
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In contrast, 21% of native-born households in Minnesota use these
same services.
(These statistics were presented by 2 Federal legislators at the March 4th Hearing Part 2 for Fraud and Misuse of Federal Funds in Minnesota, weeks after I spoke to the issue at the SD39 Convention held on February 21st.)
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Additionally, Key Data on Public Assistance and Economic Contribution (2025-2026), another immigration-friendly program, cites Somali Minnesotans have an unemployment rate of 30% and a tax rate of less than 14%.
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How much are you paying?
Many – not all - immigrants in Minnesota live below the poverty line leading to high usage of public assistance and a net fiscal drain on state and local governments. Most immigrants pay significantly lower federal taxes due to their lower income levels. Whether documented, undocumented, or illegal– we foot the bill . . . how?
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In Minnesota, we provide free housing, food, utilities, medical assistance, access to driver's licenses for non-residents, free post-secondary education, and interpreters at our schools and cities.
All this while we see smaller paychecks and higher taxes!
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This brings me to the ultimate question: although a national issue, why and/or how are immigrants allowed to enter this country, unable to support themselves without government assistance that we, through our state taxes, ultimately pay for!?!
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Immigration rules need to be updated, and Minnesota must improve. We need to counter the “impression of sanctuary” stated by Governor Walz that we welcome and will support any undocumented or illegal immigrant in our state. Clearer legislation and more realistic requirements are necessary for entering this country.
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The best way to reduce immigrant welfare is not simply to crack down on fraud, but to reduce the number of immigrants arriving with low or little earning power.