The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking the help of outside groups to fund legal services for “new Americans.” Specifically, the state agency wants to help the so-called new Americans “seek or maintain immigration status and work authorization.”
According to state law, the term “new American” refers to “an individual born abroad and the individual’s children, irrespective of immigration status.”
In 2023, Democrats in control of state government enacted sweeping left-wing proposals that provided all kinds of services to illegal aliens. In omnibus bills passed that year, DHS was given explicit authority and funding to award grants that assist “new Americans.”
The exact language of state law directs DHS to issue grants that support so-called new Americans “in seeking or maintaining legal or citizenship status to legally obtain or retain employment in any field or industry.” The agency’s Resettlement Programs Office (RPO) is now accepting grant applications to this end.
DHS documents say the agency is requesting non-profit or for-profit organizations that practice immigration law to submit applications for the grants. The agency is anticipating between eight to 15 grant awards and has $3.5 million of taxpayer money to fund the grants.
Contract terms for the grants are expected to run for two years but could be extended to five years dependent on funding. Agency documents say grant recipients “must be willing to comply with all state and federal legal requirements regarding the performance of the grant contract.”
Alpha News reached out to DHS for this story. Among other things, the agency was asked: “Will legal services be given to illegal aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States but are attempting to stay? If so, what services would be given?”
While DHS provided the statute which defines a “new American,” the agency did not say whether legal services would be extended to illegal aliens.
Instead, DHS simply reiterated that the state legislature appropriated one-time funding for “immigration legal services and social services to help individuals secure or maintain legal work authorization, to gain employment and contribute to Minnesota communities.”
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
