The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing earlier today focused on sanctuary policies in several U.S. states. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul testified before the Committee regarding their states' policies on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, particularly in cases involving undocumented individuals with criminal records.
According to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the hearing followed a January announcement by Committee Chairman James Comer, who launched an investigation into sanctuary jurisdictions. These jurisdictions limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, which it argues may pose public safety concerns. In official communications, the Committee used the term illegal aliens, a label that has drawn criticism and is often replaced by undocumented immigrants in other settings.
In March, the Committee heard from mayors of sanctuary cities, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, highlighting differing approaches between local and federal officials on immigration enforcement.
In April, the investigation expanded as the Committee formally requested documents and communications related to sanctuary policies from multiple state and local governments. With immigration remaining a key national issue, the testimonies from Governors Pritzker, Walz, and Hochul are likely to continue drawing attention from across the political spectrum.
