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The House Oversight Committee held a high-profile hearing Thursday on the impact of sanctuary state policies, drawing testimony from several Democratic governors, including Minnesota’s Tim Walz, Illinois’s J.B. Pritzker, and New York’s Kathy Hochul. Conspicuously absent was California Governor Gavin Newsom, despite his state’s central role in the national debate over immigration enforcement.
At the heart of the hearing were state policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Democratic governors defended their approaches, insisting they strike a balance between public safety and community protection. But Republican lawmakers used the opportunity to scrutinize what they view as systematic obstruction of federal law.
“Governor Walz, you say Minnesota isn’t a sanctuary state. But in 2023 alone, you signed bills providing free healthcare, free college tuition, and driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants,” Emmer began, referencing the Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill, the Higher Education Omnibus Bill, and the Driver’s License for All Act.
Emmer also pointed out that the Minnesota attorney general’s guidance instructs law enforcement to ignore ICE detainers—a key component of federal immigration enforcement.
“So you claim you’re not a sanctuary state,” Emmer said. “Yet you implement sanctuary-style policies at every level.”
Walz, in his opening statement, had insisted, “Minnesota is not even a sanctuary state,” arguing that no formal designation exists in law or executive order. But Emmer quickly dismantled that claim by turning to Walz’s past statements.
“You tweeted in 2018: ‘I support policies that keep law enforcement from enforcing federal laws,’” Emmer said. “And just last year, at a University of Minnesota Law School commencement, you referred to ICE agents as ‘Donald Trump’s modern-day Gestapo.’”
Emmer condemned the rhetoric as dangerous. “The Gestapo was Nazi Germany’s secret police. ICE agents are American public servants. After the violent attacks against ICE officers in Los Angeles this week, don’t you think your words have consequences?”
Walz deflected, prompting Emmer to press harder: “You owe those agents an apology. Your inflammatory language has put targets on their backs.”
The congressman then pivoted to Walz’s handling of the 2020 Minneapolis riots, criticizing his delay in activating the National Guard.
“Your record is clear,” Emmer said. “You offer benefits to illegal immigrants while handcuffing law enforcement. That’s the definition of a sanctuary state.”
He concluded: “You’ve failed to uphold the rule of law, failed to protect national sovereignty, and failed Minnesotans. If you don’t think this is a sanctuary state, then frankly, you shouldn’t be governor.”
The hearing underscored the growing divide between state and federal approaches to immigration, as protests and enforcement actions in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago continue to fuel political tensions nationwide.
