Minnesota Senate Passes $40M Bill for Rental Assistance, Including Illegal Immigrants

Republican Senator Keri Heintzeman criticizes the bill as a Democratic response to an "eviction crisis of their own making".

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:33pm

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The Minnesota Senate has passed a $40 million bill to provide emergency rental assistance to help renters cover unpaid rent, utility bills, and related fees. Republican Senator Keri Heintzeman criticized the bill, saying it was a Democratic response to an "eviction crisis of their own making" after state leaders discouraged federal immigration enforcement.

Why it matters

The bill highlights partisan divisions over immigration and the role of government in addressing housing and economic challenges. Republicans argue the crisis was exacerbated by Democratic rhetoric against federal immigration agents, while Democrats frame the assistance as necessary to prevent widespread evictions.

The details

Senate File 3596 allocates $40 million in one-time emergency rental assistance, including for illegal immigrants. Republicans were able to add amendments to improve oversight and verification requirements, as well as use some funds for fraud prevention. However, Heintzeman opposed the bill on principle, arguing it was a Democratic attempt to "clean up the mess they made" through their rhetoric against immigration enforcement.

  • The Minnesota Senate passed the bill on Wednesday, March 13, 2026.

The players

Keri Heintzeman

A Republican Minnesota state senator representing District 6 who voted against the rental assistance bill.

Tim Walz

The Democratic governor of Minnesota who, along with other state leaders, compared federal immigration agents to "Nazis" and the "Gestapo".

Keith Ellison

The Democratic attorney general of Minnesota who, along with other state leaders, compared federal immigration agents to "Nazis" and the "Gestapo".

Jacob Frey

The Democratic mayor of Minneapolis who, along with other state leaders, compared federal immigration agents to "Nazis" and the "Gestapo".

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What they’re saying

“I said it many times, but that kind of rhetoric creates danger for the public. They stoked fear and inflamed tensions, and when they were encouraged to turn down the temperature, they pushed on.”

— Keri Heintzeman, Minnesota State Senator (mnsenaterepublicans.com)

What’s next

The bill will now go to the Minnesota House of Representatives for consideration.

The takeaway

This partisan dispute over rental assistance and immigration enforcement highlights the ongoing political divisions in Minnesota and the challenges of addressing complex social and economic issues in a polarized environment.