Democratic Governors Face GOP Hearing on Sanctuary Policies

A House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing is set to feature Democratic Governors Tim Walz of Minnesota, Kathy Hochul of New York, and JB Pritzker of Illinois, who will defend their states’ sanctuary policies amid Republican scrutiny. The governors are expected to push back against federal immigration enforcement actions, highlighting their states' efforts to manage immigrant influxes and public safety despite limited federal support. Governor Pritzker will accuse Republican governors of using immigration issues as political stunts, while emphasizing Illinois’ investments in law enforcement and declining violent crime rates. The hearing serves as a political stage for these governors, some of whom have higher office ambitions, to address immigration policies amid nationwide debate. Republicans argue sanctuary policies protect criminal illegal aliens, while Democrats contend their policies uphold humanitarian and economic principles. This confrontation reflects ongoing tensions between federal and state approaches to immigration enforcement under President Trump’s administration.