House Oversight Calls Walz, Hochul, Pritzker to Testify on Sanctuary Policies

The House Oversight and Accountability Committee is seeking testimony from three Democrat governors on their states’ sanctuary policies. 

House Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., sent letters to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was the 2024 Democrat vice presidential candidate, to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday. 

The letters come as President Donald Trump has threatened to cut off federal funding to sanctuary cities. 

Comer requested documents and communications related to states’ sanctuary policies. He also asked the governors to testify at a scheduled May 15 hearing. The letters were not a subpoena. 

“Sanctuary jurisdictions and their obstructionist policies hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities,” Comer’s letter to the governors said. “This threatens Americans’ safety.” 

In March, the committee held a hearing with four sanctuary city mayors: New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.

A sanctuary jurisdiction is a state, county, or city that doesn’t cooperate with federal agencies in apprehending and deporting illegal immigrants.

“In addition to the efforts of the Trump Administration to ensure federal immigration enforcement can proceed unimpeded, Congress must determine whether further legislation is necessary to enhance border security and public safety,” Comer’s letter continued. “It is imperative that federal immigration law is enforced and that criminal aliens are swiftly removed from our communities.”

Spokespersons for the governors of Illinois, Minnesota and New York did not immediately respond to email inquiries for this story.