Congress investigates sanctuary governors over immigration policies

In the United States, members of the House Oversight Committee initiated an investigation into sanctuary jurisdictions, particularly focusing on their potential adverse effects on public safety. On April 11, 2025, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, sent formal invitations to three Democratic governors—Tim Walz of Minnesota, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, and Kathy Hochul of New York—to testify at a hearing scheduled for May 15. This investigation follows previous hearings where mayors from Democrat-led cities discussed their sanctuary city policies. The focus of the inquiry stems from concerns that sanctuary jurisdictions could impede the efforts of federal law enforcement agencies, specifically Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to effectively enforce federal immigration laws. In preceding months, several mayors representing major cities, including Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City, were questioned in a similar committee session. During these hearings, legislators sought clarity on whether sanctuary policies led to more significant challenges in enforcing federal immigration laws. The ongoing investigation has ignited a national dialogue concerning the immigration policies enacted by various states, particularly in light of a significant rise in immigrant populations entering the U.S. under the Biden administration. According to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, roughly 2.4 million immigrants per year entered the country between 2021 and 2024. Chairman Comer highlighted concerns about the safety implications of sanctuary policies, asserting that these policies complicate federal efforts to apprehend and deport criminal offenders. In response to these developments, President Donald Trump has voiced strong opposition to sanctuary cities, claiming they protect criminals rather than victims and have tarnished America's reputation internationally. Cornered by these claims, Hochul has publicly stated her willingness to cooperate with ICE, provided it has warrants or credible evidence of serious crimes. Pritzker and Walz have yet to respond officially to the invitations, though remarks from Pritzker's office referred to the hearings as a partisan effort. The dynamics surrounding these interviews with high-ranking governors can potentially reveal deeper insights into the conflicts between state and federal immigration policies. Despite Minnesota's relatively lower issues with unauthorized immigration compared to its counterparts, Walz has been invited likely due to his prominence in the Democratic party, evidenced by his previous nomination as a vice presidential candidate. The outcome of the upcoming hearing could have lasting implications for the discussion around immigration reform at both state and national levels.