James Comer, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, intensifies his probe into sanctuary jurisdictions, causing a stir among sanctuary states’ governors.
Quick Takes
- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is invited to testify on state immigration policies.
- The inquiry focuses on sanctuary jurisdictions’ impact on federal immigration enforcement.
- House Oversight Chair James Comer requests documents from targeted governors.
- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson labels the hearing as a “performative routine.”
Comer’s Escalating Inquiry
Chairman James Comer’s investigation targets Illinois, Minnesota, and New York, as these sanctuary jurisdictions challenge federal immigration policies. By requesting documents and inviting governors like JB Pritzker, Tim Walz, and Kathy Hochul to testify, Comer seeks to uncover the impact of these jurisdictions on public safety and federal law enforcement. The aim of this initiative is to reinforce federal immigration mandates.
On May 15, Illinois Governor Pritzker is expected to testify about his state’s policies. His office is reviewing the document request, garnering attention for potentially leading Illinois before Congress. Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed her participation, yet it is uncertain whether Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz will testify.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Kentucky, sent letters requesting testimony from "sanctuary governors" on Thursday as part of an ongoing committee investigation into sanctuary jurisdictions and their effects on public safety.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Illinois… pic.twitter.com/6cylkwAmV0
— Melissa Hallman (@dotconnectinga) April 10, 2025
Local Backlash and Criticism
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has labeled the upcoming hearing as a political stunt by house Republicans after the last hearing involving city mayors. Johnson remains confident in Pritzker’s defense of Illinois’ policies, should he decide to testify. He expressed, “Because the House Republicans were not able to land anything against Chicago, they are trying the same performative routine again with the Governor this time.”
Amid the scrutiny, Illinois Senate Republican Leader John Curran criticized Pritzker’s policies as costly, urging transparency on taxpayer expenditure on non-citizen programs. Highlighting the financial implications, Curran called for Pritzker’s accountability: “Gov. Pritzker has spent years promoting Illinois as the most welcoming state in the nation, while continuing to refuse Illinois Senate Republicans’ calls to provide a transparent accounting of the billions of Illinois taxpayer dollars he has spent on his non-citizen incentive programs. The Governor should welcome this invitation to testify before Congress and provide answers about his dangerous policies, their detrimental effects on public safety and their significant financial costs to the people of Illinois.”
Federal Implications and Reactions
As Comer’s investigation aligns with President Trump’s immigration enforcement actions, it portrays a broader federal interest. Comer stated, “Sanctuary policies… jeopardize the safety of Americans and defy U.S. immigration laws.”
Trump’s stance against sanctuary jurisdictions has been consistent, previously threatening to withhold federal funding as a countermeasure. This investigation offers Comer, contemplating a gubernatorial run in 2027, the opportunity for increased national exposure while engaging high-profile Democrats such as Walz and Pritzker.
