Gov. JB Pritzker testimony on sanctuary law sparks fiery exchanges in Washington
Minnesota Gov. Walz, New York Gov. Hochul also faced questions
WASHINGTON (WLS) -- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker was among three Democratic governors called to testify in front of a Republican-led committee in Congress on Thursday.
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The Trump administration claims that sanctuary states who offer protection for those living in the U.S. without legal permission are obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
This already politically contentious debate has been heightened by recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids across the country, including in Chicago.
The House Oversight Committee aims to determine what legislative action is needed to improve safety, it claims.
Pritzker's testimony came as the current administration has stepped up immigration enforcement efforts leading to backlash and protests nationwide.
From the very start, it was clear the hearing was going to be contentious.
"Democrat-run sanctuary cities and states are siding with illegal aliens for today's Democratic Party. It seems unlimited illegal immigration isn't a failure of policy; it is the policy" said Republican Rep. James Comer, chairman of the Oversight Committee. "It's hard to figure out whose side these governors are on; they shield criminals while their own citizens pay the price."
The chairman displayed behind him posters of migrants living in the U.S. without legal permission, who are accused of violent crimes, contending sanctuary states protect criminals.
The testimony on Capitol Hill was filled with drama, as Pritzker spoke on the TRUST Act, which bans law enforcement from cooperating with ICE on non-criminal matters.
"This hearing is a witch hunt against the governors that run successful cities, and we need to call it what it is," said Democratic Rep. Delia Ramirez, who represents Chicago and the west suburbs.
The Illinois governor detailed how Illinois responded to the migrant crisis and the rationale for sanctuary state law when faced with a humanitarian crisis.
"Illinois follows the law, but let me be clear. We expect the federal government to follow the law too. We will not participate in abuse of power," Pritzker said. "We will not violate court orders. We will not ignore the consequence constitution. We will not defy the Supreme Court. We will not take away people's rights to peacefully protest."
There were some sharp exchanges.
Pritzker also pushed back on allegations that sanctuary polices have made Chicago and Illinois more dangerous.
The governor outlined investments made in police and gun violence prevention as the state dealt with an influx of migrants.
Pritzker did not back down.
"As I have consistently said, violent criminals have no place on our streets. And if they are undocumented, I want them out of Illinois and out of our country," Pritzker said.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, in an exchange with the governor, pressed the point that under Illinois' TRUST act, police must cooperate with ICE if there is a criminal arrest warrant.
"This is Illinois Law. Donald Trump may not like state law, as we're seeing in California, but what Donald Trump likes is irrelevant. The law is the law," said Democrat Krishnamoorthi, who represents Chicago and the northwest suburbs.
Three months ago, Mayor Brandon Johnson testified before the same committee investigating sanctuary cities.
The hearing began at 9 a.m. CT and wrapped up about 5 p.m.
It exposed the deep divide between Democrats and Republicans over immigration policy.
"I want to be clear. Your sweeping sanctuary policies are not misguided in my view. I think they're dangerous. Your ideology puts ideology above public safety," said Republican Rep. Darin LaHood, who represents central Illinois.
Tim Walz of Minnesota and Kathy Hochul of New York were also taking questions from the House panel.
Their testimony came as another Democratic-led state -- California -- is grappling with a slew of immigration-related protests that triggered President Donald Trump to deploy U.S. Marines and the National Guard to the area.
Pritzker went on the offensive.
"It tends to have an inflaming effect on what's going on on the ground, just when local law enforcement officials are getting things under control. And I think that's what we saw in Los Angeles," he said. "Donald Trump has been attacking people who are not the problem. Let's go after people. If you're talking about terrorists, congressman mentioned that. Let's fight for terrorists. Let us know who they are. We will go arrest the terrorists."
Comer requested in April that these Democratic governors testify, claiming that 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."
Congressional hearings are sometimes criticized as providing a stage for members to have their viral moment. Thursday has had some of those, when questions veered off topic.
Brandon Gill, a Republican from Texas, did just that.
Gill: "Do you regret encouraging men to use women's restrooms?"
Pritzker: "Again, we are taking us on topics that have..."
Gill: "Did you ever consider that women don't want something?"
Pritzker: "So, you're admitting that this is just a political circus?"
There were several other moments like that during the course of the hearing.
And while Republicans spent most of their time bashing the Democratic governors, the Democrats on the committee focused much of their time bashing President Trump.
Lawmakers on both sides were looking to score points. The hearing was frequently more theater than substance.
"Well, some interesting theatrics today. Welcome everyone to the oversight reality TV show," said Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat from New Mexico.
"Welcome to the 2028 presidential primary," said Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina.
With Pritzker considered a potential 2028 presidential candidate, he was careful with his words
Clay Higgins, a Republican from Louisiana, grilled the governor.
Pritzker: "I'm telling you, 50,000 people were shipped to my state by another state."
Higgins: "Fifty thousand is a smidgen. We have 15 million crossed across the board."
Pritzker: "I understand."
Higgins: I'll gladly send some to your state."
Pritzker said he would not be afraid if Trump officials tried to arrest him, as they've threatened to do to California's governor.
"I will stand in the way of Tom Homan going after people who don't deserve to be frightened in their communities, who don't deserve to be threatened, terrorized. I would rather that he came and arrested me than do that to the people of my state," Pritzker said.
Despite all the criticism of sanctuary policies, it is not expected to change sanctuary protections in Illinois.
Pritzker, after the hearing, said there were no real surprises.
"This hearing was a demonstration of just how bad this Republican-controlled Congress really is, again, nothing accomplished, an entire day of just harping on something that, frankly, most of which was false. And would I say it's a waste? I think this entire Republican-controlled Congress is a waste," Pritzker said.
ABC News contributed to this report.
