Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - Kenyan-born Minnesota State Representative, Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley, has opened up about a traumatic brush with deportation from her childhood.
This follows her decision to vote against a bill that sought
to exclude undocumented immigrant adults from MinnesotaCare - a
state-subsidized health program for low-income residents.
Representing District 38A, Hiltsley took to social media to
share her emotional motivation behind opposing the bill.
“Some 48 hours from deportation as a child, my life was
saved by compassion, not paperwork,” she wrote.
She credited the late Senator Paul Wellstone for intervening
at the last moment in her family’s deportation case after their church launched
a petition.
“Today, I was proud to vote NO on revoking MinnesotaCare for
undocumented adults,” she added.
“Because healthcare is a human right & my faith calls me
to love my neighbour.”
“Because dignity has no borders.”
The proposed legislation sought to limit the program to
undocumented children only, a move Hiltsley said would devastate families and
weaken public health systems.
In 2024, Hiltsley made history as the first Kenyan immigrant
elected to a U.S. state assembly.
Her story, from near deportation to public office, continues
to inspire many.
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