Walz, Pritzker, Hochul to testify before Congress on sanctuary policies
In a recent announcement,Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) revealed that three Democratic governors—Tim Walz (Minnesota),Kathy Hochul (New York),and JB Pritzker (Illinois)—are set to testify before Congress on June 12 regarding their states’ sanctuary policies that protect illegal immigrants from federal immigration enforcement.Comer has requested documentation related to these policies, emphasizing the need for accountability from the governors, who he claims prioritize the protection of undocumented individuals over the safety of U.S. citizens.
The testimony comes amid increasing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, especially in light of record-high border crossings under the Biden governance, which have caused financial strains in sanctuary states and cities.As a notable example,New York City has spent approximately $5 billion on migrant care as mid-2022,while Chicago has invested $400 million during the same period. The situation has sparked meaningful political debate, with Republican representatives criticizing the sanctuary policies and the governors’ actions.
Oversight Committee’s ranking member gerry Connolly (D-VA) expressed readiness for the hearing, recalling previous sessions that addressed immigration policy criticisms against Republicans. The upcoming hearing is seen as another prospect for political exchanges regarding immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies.
Walz, Pritzker, and Hochul to testify before Congress on sanctuary policies, Comer announces
Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) announced on Tuesday that three Democratic governors of states with policies that protect illegal immigrants from immigration enforcement will testify before his committee.
Govs. Tim Walz (D-MN), Kathy Hochul (D-NY), and JB Pritzker (D-IL) will appear before Congress on June 12 after Comer requested in April they appear and provide all documents and communications regarding their respective states’ sanctuary policies.
“The Trump Administration is taking decisive action to deport criminal illegal aliens from our nation but reckless sanctuary states like Illinois, Minnesota, and New York are actively seeking to obstruct federal immigration enforcement,” Comer said in a statement. “The governors of these states must explain why they are prioritizing the protection of criminal illegal aliens over the safety of U.S. citizens, and they must be held accountable.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), a member of the Oversight Committee, took to X to applaud Comer’s announcement.
“Sanctuary Governors are being dragged to Congress to explain why they protect criminal illegal aliens instead of law-abiding Americans,” Mace wrote. “Your sanctuary policies are over. Your excuses won’t save you. See you June 12th.”
“See you soon, @GovTimWalz,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) wrote on the same platform, tagging his state’s governor.
Under the Biden administration, border crossings reached an all-time high in illegal border crossings, causing a financial strain on many sanctuary states and cities such as New York City, Chicago, and Minneapolis.
New York City spent approximately $5 billion between mid-2022 to August 2024 to house, feed, and care for upward of 212,000 migrants who arrived in the city. Mayor Eric Adams had repeatedly called on the Biden administration for financial assistance in dealing with the crisis, airing concerns that it would cause financial ruin for the city. In the state of New York’s fiscal 2025 budget, Hochul allocated $2.4 billion in assistance for New York City to manage the migrant crisis, falling short of what Adams asked for.
Chicago spent $400 million between 2022 and 2024 providing assistance to migrants.
In Minnesota, legislators have sparred over whether to make Minnesota a sanctuary state. Walz, former Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate in the 2024 presidential election, has opposed deportation efforts in Minnesota and across the country.
Oversight Committee ranking member Gerry Connolly (D-VA) said his members welcomed the hearing.
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“Chairman Comer and Republicans failed to get the ‘gotcha moments’ they wanted during March’s hearing, where Oversight Democrats and Democratic Mayors swatted off their overtly political attacks and called out the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans for their cruel and lawless attacks on immigrants, their children, and their families,” Connolly said, adding, “Bring on Round Two.”
Back in March, the Oversight Committee held a hearing with the mayors of four sanctuary cities, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, and Adams.
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