The high-profile Democratic governors of Illinois, Minnesota and New York defended their states’ immigration policies in a Republican-led House Oversight Committee on Thursday — weighing in on the ongoing Los Angeles protests over immigration enforcement.
JB Pritzker of Illinois, Tim Walz of Minnesota and Kathy Hochul of New York took questions from the House panel — many dealing with their policies as so-called “sanctuary states.” Their testimony came as another Democratic-led state — California — is grappling with a slew of immigration-related protests that triggered President Donald Trump to deploy U.S. Marines and the National Guard to the area.
Sanctuary states still enforce U.S. federal immigration laws, but the term often refers to a limited collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while enacting policies that are more favorable to undocumented people.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and New York Governor Kathy Hochul attend a House Oversight Committee hearing with U.S. governors about state policies regarding undocumented migrants, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., June 12, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
‘An overreach of epic proportions’
The governors slammed Trump’s decision to deploy troops to Los Angeles, with Hochul saying the actions “undermine sovereignty of individual states.”
“Governors are the commanders in chief of the National Guard. They know what to do, as you’ve heard from my colleagues, we have deployed them on a number of occasions. But confidence in local law enforcement — you’re basically saying that there’s not a belief that the highly trained individuals of our municipal police departments like Los Angeles and the city of New York … can handle [their] jobs,” Hochul said, adding it’s “an overreach of epic proportions.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker testifies before a House Oversight Committee hearing with U.S. governors about state policies regarding undocumented migrants, on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 12, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Pritzker added that the decision goes against typical protocol, which “tends to have an inflaming effect.” And Walz said it is important that governors and the federal government to coordinate — especially when dealing with the National Guard.
“The absolute pinnacle and the most critical piece is, is the coordination amongst them. As a governor, not being notified as local law enforcement, it creates a chaotic situation that they cannot operate as a joint unit,” Walz said.
The hearing kicked off with a fiery statement from Ranking Member Stephen Lynch attacking Trump and his administration for their immigration policies. Referencing the Los Angeles protests, Lynch said deploying the military against civilians is “wrong.”
“I’m proud of my Democratic colleagues who are willing to stand up to this thuggery. Trump is a wannabe gangster, and he’s showing the world what he’s about,” the Massachusetts Democrat said.
Stefanik, Jordan face off with Hochul
Republicans on the House panel repeatedly pointed to specific incidents in each of the governor’s states about U.S. citizens getting injured or killed at the hands of undocumented people.
New York Rep. Elise Stefanik fired off at Hochul first about individual cases of violence in New York at the hands of immigrants, repeatedly highlighting crime in “Kathy Hochul’s New York.” Later in the hearing, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan engaged in similar questioning with the New York governor.
Rep. Elise Stefanik speaks during a House Oversight Committee hearing with U.S. governors about state policies regarding undocumented migrants, on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 12, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
“These are horrific crimes, crimes that are committed on your watch,” Stefanik said, later adding that the governor was “prioritizing your far left sanctuary state policies” — a statement Hochul denied.
Governors insist immigration is job for Congress
Republicans on the committee accused the governors of overseeing a rise in crime and blocking law enforcement and ICE’s actions.
“I invited these governors here today because as the chief executives of their states, they willfully ignore a federal law, shield illegal aliens and pass the cost of free services onto their hard working taxpayers,” House Oversight Chair James Comer said.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker testify before a House Oversight Committee hearing with U.S. governors about state policies regarding undocumented migrants, on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 12, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
The governors fired back, saying immigration in the country is managed by the federal government.
“While you’ve convened this hearing to explore the issue of so-called ‘sanctuary states,’ Minnesota is not even a sanctuary state,” Walz said. “Minnesota legislature has passed no such bill making Minnesota sanctuary state, and I have signed no such law. Minnesota cooperates with federal authorities in a number of ways.”
“But enforcing immigration law is not the role of local and state governments. The fact is, Congress has given federal agencies the authority to enforce immigration laws across this country that includes Minnesota, and I support them doing. So it’s the federal government’s job to secure the border,” Walz added.
The governors also decried some of Trump’s immigration platforms and recent moves, calling for “compassionate” policy.
“As I have consistently said, violent criminals have no place on our streets and if they are undocumented, I want them out of Illinois and out of our country,” Pritzker said in his opening statement.
In March, the Oversight Committee held another newsy hearing with “sanctuary city” mayors including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Those leaders defended their actions on immigration enforcement while Republicans on the committee accused them of increasing crime by defying Trump administration immigration policies.
