(The Center Square) – After a weekend filled with violent protests over arrests made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Los Angeles, the United States House is preparing to question the role of three governors in providing “sanctuary states” for migrants.
Los Angeles passed a “sanctuary city” ordinance in 2024 which prevents city resources, like property, personnel and data, from being used for federal immigration enforcement.
The House Oversight Committee’s June 12 hearing will challenge similar laws and orders put in place by Democrat governors. The hearing is set for 10 a.m. on June 12.
Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said Democrats such as Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul will provide documents, communications and testimony on their actions to protect migrants in their states.
“The Trump administration is taking decisive action to deport criminal illegal aliens from our nation but reckless sanctuary states like Illinois, Minnesota and New York are actively seeking to obstruct federal immigration enforcement,” Comer said.
The hearing comes as the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, of which Comer is the chairman, continues its investigation into policies of sanctuary jurisdictions.
Sanctuary jurisdictions are “states, counties or cities that put limits on how much they are willing to cooperate with federal agencies efforts to deport illegal aliens,” according to a House Oversight Committee news release.
“The governors of these states must explain why they are prioritizing the protection of criminal illegal aliens over the safety of U.S. citizens, and they must be held accountable,” Rep. Comer continued.
In Illinois, former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the 2017 TRUST Act, which keeps local law enforcement from coordinating with ICE. The act bars law enforcement from stopping, arresting, searching or detaining a person solely due to immigration status.
Illinois Democrat Gov. Pritzker signed several amendments to strengthen the TRUST Act, requiring local officials to end partnerships with ICE, address hate crimes against immigrant communities and expand workplace protections for migrants in the state.
While Minnesota and New York do not explicitly prohibit state and local officials from cooperating with ICE, several executive actions and legal challenges in the states protect migrants.
In New York, a 2017 order signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo prevents state law enforcement from providing immigration information “for the purpose of federal civil immigration enforcement, unless required by law.” The 2017 order is still in place today.
Additionally, a 2018 order requiring immigration officials have a warrant to make an arrest and a 2020 order preventing ICE agents from arresting people in and around New York courthouses remain in effect
Gov. Kathy Hochul has also facilitated further protections for migrants in New York. In 2023, Hochul announced protections for migrants from being deported in the event of a labor dispute.
In 2023, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed a law allowing migrants without legal status to obtain a driver’s license in the state.
The hearing will likely address the three governor’s actions to prevent federal immigration enforcement in their states.
As protests in Los Angeles rage on, Congress continues its pursuit against sanctuary jurisdictions in line with the Trump administration’s efforts to facilitate mass deportations.
