The number of illegal immigrants enrolled in MinnesotaCare has far exceeded the initial estimates put forward by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (MDH), according to Republican lawmakers in the Minnesota Legislature.
In 2023, Democrats in control of state government authorized a new law which allows illegal immigrants to enroll in MinnesotaCare, a state-run health care program for low-income Minnesotans that is funded entirely by state taxes.
On Monday afternoon, Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, Rep. Isaac Schultz, Rep. Jeff Backer, and Sen. Paul Utke held a press conference to draw attention to the large number of illegal aliens enrolling in the program and the associated costs.
Beginning in January of this year, illegal aliens were allowed to enroll in MinnesotaCare for the first time. Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) initially projected that only 5,784 illegal immigrants would enroll in the program by Fiscal Year 2026; with 7,741 enrolled by 2029. However, more than 17,000 illegal immigrants enrolled in the program during the first quarter of 2025.
Figures provided by the Republicans reportedly came directly from state agencies upon request.
“In just three months, the enrollment for taxpayer-funded health care for illegal immigrants is nearly triple what Democrats said it would be in its initial year,” said Rasmusson. “This is an astounding surge that validates my concern that this change would incentivize illegal immigrants to come to Minnesota.”
When Minnesota’s most recent budget forecast was unveiled in March, the cost of covering illegal immigrants via MinnesotaCare was estimated to be $220 million over the next four fiscal years. Given the dramatic surge of illegal aliens enrolled in the program, the GOP believes the state will spend over $600 million on this front in the next four years.
“Illegal immigrants are given $7,000 per person in the form of MinnesotaCare benefits here in Minnesota, paid for by Minnesota taxpayers,” said Schultz. The GOP lawmaker said that the 17,000 illegal immigrants enrolled in the program combined with the $7,000 per person bill will cost the state more than $107 million in the current fiscal year.
As such, the GOP lawmakers criticized Democrats for prioritizing illegal aliens over the needs of Minnesotans and stressed that state resources instead must be focused on adequate funding for nursing homes and disability services.
“Minnesotans are watching their loved ones lose care while Democrats hand out free health care to illegal immigrants,” said Schultz in a statement released Monday afternoon. “We need to put Minnesotans first.”
While Minnesota has a projected budget surplus for the upcoming two-year budget period, the state is facing a $6 billion budget deficit soon afterward. State lawmakers are currently negotiating terms for the next biennial budget which runs from July of 2025 through June of 2027.
Referencing the ongoing state budget negotiations, Backer said differences on health and human services matters have prevented budget talks from progressing. Further, the longtime Republican legislator warned that the cost of covering illegal immigrants via MinnesotaCare would put Minnesota’s Health Care Access Fund “in the negative.”
“The Health Care Access Fund that funds this benefit also supports seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those on Medicaid and Medicare—the 1.4 million Minnesotans who rely on those safety nets,” said Backer. “This is the main sticking point in health finance and policy negotiations. We do not have a budget deal because Democrats want to prioritize illegal immigrants over the health care of Minnesotans.”
Alpha News reached out to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), MMB, Gov. Tim Walz, the House DFL and the Senate DFL for comment. DHS responded to a media inquiry, but the rest did not immediately offer comment. This story will be updated if comments are received.
In a statement, DHS confirmed that 17,396 people who have “undocumented status” are enrolled in MinnesotaCare. The agency noted that “only 3,378 of the total had any claims for healthcare services” as of April 1, and the total claims paid to date are $3.4 million.
Further, DHS said the cost information presented at the GOP press conference was not accurate, saying, “While the number of enrollees is higher than projected, the costs per person are currently much lower than what was projected.”
Since the start of the 2025 legislative session, Republicans have pushed HF 10, a bill which would bar illegal immigrants from receiving any kind of state services. The bill is authored by Schultz and Rasmusson.
During Monday’s press conference, both lawmakers emphasized that giving free healthcare to illegal immigrants turns Minnesota into a magnet for those who are unlawfully present in the United States.
This story was updated with additional information from DHS.
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.
