U.S. House Republicans grilled Democratic governors from New York, Illinois and Minnesota in a hearing on Thursday over state immigration policies that Republicans say allowed migrants to repeatedly commit crimes and terrorize communities.
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held the hearing with Govs. Tim Walz of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Kathy Hochul of New York over so-called sanctuary state policies.
Republicans on the committee grilled the governors on cases where noncitizens in the U.S. illegally were convicted of crimes including homicide and sexual assault in Illinois, Minnesota and New York. The governors typically responded with condolences and emphasis on their sanctuary policies applying to civil immigration enforcement and not criminal enforcement.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., questioned New York Gov. Kathy Hochul over several incidents where migrants committed crimes in the state of New York, including rape and homicide. Hochul said she “did not have the specific details” of the cases Stefanik mentioned.
“We cooperate fully with ICE in criminal prosecutions,” Hochul said. “Our sanctuary laws only deal with civil enforcement.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn. called attention to programs in Minnesota that provide health care, drivers licenses and student aid for noncitizens in the state.
Walz said his job is “to make Minnesota the best state in the nation.” He said his state works with federal immigration officials so that Minnesota “follows all laws.”
“By turning Minnesota into a magnet for illegals, you have opened up our communities to dangerous criminals, including known terrorists, gang members, murderers and child predators,” Emmer said.
U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., criticized Hochul for the state’s Green Light Law, which allows all residents of New York the ability to get a driver’s license regardless of immigration status and prevents ICE from accessing records in DMV databases.
Hochul said Langworthy misstated the Green Light Law.
“Anything they [ICE] want from us related to investigating a crime is available to them,” Hochul said of New York’s cooperation with ICE.
Langworthy further accused Hochul of supporting legislation that led to the murder of Laken Riley, a college student who was killed in Georgia in 2024 by Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan immigrant. Langworthy said Ibarra was released from jail in New York because of a bail reform law signed by Hochul.
“You are misstating the law and its purpose,” Hochul said. “Murder rates are down to historic lows and we’re working hard to make sure one crime is too many.”
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell, D-Mo., asked the governors about trends of criminal activity from migrants that come to the U.S. illegally.
“It’s clear that immigrants commit crime at a lower rate than the rest of our population,” Pritzker said.
Hochul later brought up New York’s joint terrorism task force, which is a cooperation between local, federal and state law enforcement to investigate terrorism in the New York City metropolitan area. She said the task force is aware of migrants who have ties to terrorist organizations in the state.
“We cooperate in all criminal investigations. Always have and we always will,” Hochul said.
The governors closed out with remarks defending their records and emphasizing positive social services provided in their states.
“I’m so proud of my state and the way that we have operated particularly in the last six and half years to protect people. Public safety is so important in our state, I’ve increased the number of state police actually to highs that didn’t exist before my predecessor,” Pritzker said.
Hochul also defended New York’s laws and policies on immigration.
“My No. 1 priority has always been and always will be keeping New Yorkers safe, I believe our policies and our laws as implemented do,” Hochul said.
Pritzker also called on Congress to pass immigration reform and blamed Republicans for not passing the legislation.
“You all are in control of the Congress and the presidency, you can get together with Democrats and get something put together that will secure our border and have a big door that allows people to come who are working hard,” Pritzker added.
