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FACT BRIEF

Did Tim Walz support free college education for some undocumented immigrants?

By Tom Kertscher
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YES

Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in May 2023 signed legislation that gives free public college tuition to Minnesota residents, including undocumented immigrants, whose families earn less than $80,000 per year.

The Walz claim was made by Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who represents most of northern Wisconsin, on Aug. 6, 2024. That day, Kamala Harris announced Walz as her vice presidential running mate.

A 2013 Minnesota law made all state financial aid available to undocumented immigrants, including new programs such as free tuition, according to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

Walz also signed legislation that makes undocumented Minnesota residents eligible for the state’s low-income health insurance program. They must pay premiums and other costs.

On other immigration issues, The New York Times reported, Walz signed legislation making undocumented immigrants eligible for Minnesota driver’s licenses and supports a path to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants.

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Sources
Minnesota Office of Higher Education One Minnesota Bill Includes Historic Investments in Higher Education
Scripps News Undocumented immigrants eligible for free college in Minnesota
Axios Minnesota to provide free college tuition to undocumented students
X Tom Tiffany post
MPR News MinnesotaCare expands eligibility to Minnesotans with undocumented status
Minnesota Reformer Minnesota to allow all undocumented residents to enroll in MinnesotaCare
New York Times Where Tim Walz Stands on the Issues
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.