On the heels of an alleged Somali-connected billion-dollar welfare fraud scandal in Minnesota, Democrat Gov. Tim Walz (MN) just unleashed one of the most insane 20-week paid family and medical leave programs in the nation, which is apparently open to &#8220;undocumented&#8221; workers, too.
The program allows workers to take up to 20 weeks of paid leave each year for various reasons, and it generally guarantees that their job will be protected upon their return. It&#8217;s also largely paid for by employers, through what&#8217;s effectively a payroll tax.
The state-run program, which takes effect on January 1, 2026, is generating tremendous criticism, especially in light of the recent Somali-tied fraud scandal that allegedly culminated in billions of stolen tax dollars, some of which were allegedly funneled to Al-Shabaab terrorists, according to <a href="https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-welfare-fraud-somalia-al-shabaab">City Journal</a>. Critics note that the fraud occurred under Walz&#8217;s nose and view this coming program as fertile ground for fraudsters.
&#8220;Minnesota&#8217;s new Paid Family and Medical Leave Law, which allows up to 20 weeks of leave and paid benefits, will take effect starting Jan. 1, 2026,&#8221; FOX 9 reported this week. &#8220;You can take paid leave to care for yourself during serious health conditions, like surgery, injury, a chronic condition, pregnancy, and childbirth, and other health needs certified by your provider.&#8221;
&#8220;For family leave, it covers bonding with a child through birth, adoption, or foster placement, caring for a family member with a serious health issue, supporting a military family member called for active duty, or responding to a safety issue, including domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, for you or a family member,&#8221; the post said.
&#8220;The law will provide up to 20 weeks of paid leave per year for eligible employees, including 12 weeks of personal medical leave and 12 weeks of family leave, both capped at 20 weeks total,&#8221; FOX 9 added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Minnesota&#8217;s new Paid Family and Medical Leave Law, which allows up to 20 weeks of leave and paid benefits, will take effect starting Jan. 1, 2026.
You can take paid leave to care for yourself during serious health conditions, like surgery, injury, a chronic condition, pregnancy,… <a href="https://t.co/w5BPl2ZCVC">pic.twitter.com/w5BPl2ZCVC</a>
— FOX 9 (@FOX9) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOX9/status/1995911287558029317?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
Republican Minnesota Rep. Walter Hudson said the program will destroy small businesses, and noted that it&#8217;s wildly broad.
&#8220;We&#8217;re one month out from destroying small business in Minnesota, unleashing a fresh wave of fraud where 30 people can claim time off to &#8216;take care&#8217; of the same random person they have &#8216;affinity&#8217; with,&#8221; he wrote.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We&#8217;re one month out from destroying small business in Minnesota, unleashing a fresh wave of fraud where 30 people can claim time off to &#8220;take care&#8221; of the same random person they have &#8220;affinity&#8221; with. <a href="https://t.co/hJt28l217A">https://t.co/hJt28l217A</a>
— Walter Hudson (@WalterHudson) <a href="https://twitter.com/WalterHudson/status/1996306728342655374?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
Notably, the program also seems to include illegal immigrants, since immigration status is not a requirement. A website for the state expressly <a href="https://www.mnchamber.com/are-you-ready-paid-family-and-medical-leave-pfml-minnesota">states</a> that &#8220;Undocumented workers, youth workers, and new workers are also covered.&#8221;
Defense attorney William Shipley emphasized the burden for small businesses.
&#8220;The details of this program are so stupid it makes me laugh until I hurt. Up to 20 weeks off a year — PAID,&#8221; he <a href="https://x.com/shipwreckedcrew/status/1996271494125810000">wrote</a> on X. &#8220;The employee is paid by the State, BUT it is funded by a new premium paid by Employers based on their overall payroll.&#8221;
&#8220;So BUSINESSES in Minn. now have a new payroll expense them must fund — it&#8217;s a payroll tax,&#8221; Shipley said. Employees in Minnesota could also pay a portion of the program, depending on the employer.
When small businesses lose employees for potentially five months or so in one single year, the employee &#8220;MUST be given their job back when they return, regardless if they had to be replaced by a new hire to do the job in their absence,&#8221; Shipley said. There are apparently exceptions to this, according to the state&#8217;s website, but they are not clarified.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The details of this program are so stupid it makes me laugh until I hurt.
Up to 20 weeks off a year &#8212; PAID.
The employee is paid by the State, BUT it is funded by a new premium paid by Employers based on their overall payroll.
So BUSINESSES in Minn. now have a new payroll… <a href="https://t.co/abrV0JkGXX">https://t.co/abrV0JkGXX</a>
— Shipwreckedcrew (@shipwreckedcrew) <a href="https://twitter.com/shipwreckedcrew/status/1996271494125810000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
When Walz was asked about the program being open to fraud, especially given recent circumstances, the Democrat suggested the question was &#8220;disrespectful&#8221; to Minnesotans.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Tim Walz says it&#8217;s &#8220;disrespectful&#8221; to assume that the new Medical and Family Leave program will be targeted by scammers in Minnesota. <a href="https://t.co/fOPGDu5vGX">pic.twitter.com/fOPGDu5vGX</a>
— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) <a href="https://twitter.com/libbyemmons/status/1996198115976843721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-admin-sends-ice-to-minneapolis-to-nab-hundreds-of-somali-illegal-immigrants?author=Jennie+Taer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Admin+Sends+ICE+To+Minneapolis+To+Nab+Hundreds+Of+Somali+Illegal+Immigrants">Trump Admin Sends ICE To Minneapolis To Nab Hundreds Of Somali Illegal Immigrants</a>

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Tim Walz Just Unleashed A Paid Leave Plan For Minnesota That Includes Illegal Immigrants