During a combative House committee hearing on immigration policy Thursday, Republicans and Democrats offered competing portraits of a United States under siege.
GOP lawmakers described migrants without legal status as a threat to the nation’s sovereignty and public safety, made worse by Democratic state laws.
Thursday’s hearing featured testimony by — and frequent grilling of — three prominent Democratic state governors, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a vice presidential candidate in 2024 who has emerged as one of his party’s national leaders.
Stefanik suggested Democratic state policies made it easier for migrants to avoid arrest before they committed violent crimes.
Studies show migrants commit fewer crimes than U.S. citizens, a fact Democrats raised repeatedly during the hearing.
Republicans and Democrats presented opposing images of a besieged United States during a heated House committee hearing on immigration policy on Thursday. GOP lawmakers characterized undocumented migrants as a threat to public safety and national sovereignty, exacerbated by Democratic state legislation.
Rep. said, “Sanctuary policies do not protect Americans.”. R-Ky. James Comer. is in charge of the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. “They defend illegal alien criminals. “.
Democrats, on the other hand, argued that the Trump administration’s migrant sweeps and the use of National Guard and Marine units in Los Angeles without state officials’ consent constituted a direct threat to civil liberties and the rule of law.
“As Trump establishes the foundation to implement his militarization strategy across the country, no American city or state is safe,” Rep. D-Mass’ Stephen Lynch.
Three well-known Democratic state governors testified at the hearing on Thursday, and they were frequently grilled. Among them was Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a 2024 vice presidential candidate who has become a national leader in his party.
“Due process is something that every American deserves,” Walz stated in his opening remarks. “People should not be imprisoned for exercising their fundamental constitutional rights in our free nation. “..”.
Governors JB Pritzker of Illinois and Kathy Hochul of New York, along with Walz, characterized immigrants—including those without legal status—as safe, hardworking members of their communities.
However, Republicans and Democratic governors engaged in a heated debate, with Republicans criticizing blue state policies that allow certain undocumented migrants to enter the country while restricting the role of local law enforcement in immigration sweeps. S. to send their kids to school, drive a car, and obtain medical care.
Rep. New York Republican Elise Stefanik, who is considering a run for governor, used the hearing to criticize Hochul. According to Stefanik, Democratic state policies made it simpler for migrants to evade detention prior to committing violent crimes.
During one heated exchange, Hochul admitted, “These crimes are horrific.”. “We would collaborate with ICE to get them out in each of these situations. “..”.
Stefanik stated, “Your policies are the reason they are walking on the streets.”.
According to studies, immigrants commit fewer crimes than Americans. S. . citizens, a point Democrats brought up time and time again throughout the hearing. The United States has also seen a steady decline in overall crime. S. . as well as in “blue” states and cities.
However, Republican lawmakers frequently cited high-profile instances of violent crimes committed by migrants. Democrats said local law enforcement could deal with those isolated incidents.
Judge JB Pritzker of Illinois stated, “Murderers should be held accountable.”. “That’s what we do in Illinois. “,”.
Rep. asked, “And you think they should have been welcomed into our communities before they did [commit crimes]?”. Ryan Gill of Texas.
“I’m not sure how you can tell before someone does something wrong,” Pritzker said.
“You keep illegal aliens out of our communities and secure the border,” Gill stated.
Fear of dangerous migrants versus… anxiety over “militarized” immigration laws.
Amidst ongoing unrest in a small area of Los Angeles, which was triggered by increasing U.S. raids, the House hearing took place. A. agents from Customs Enforcement and Immigration.
Democrats characterized the conflict over immigration as a crisis created by the Trump administration, while Republicans centered a large portion of their questions on public safety and sporadic instances of gang activity or violence by migrants.
“ICE arrived in Chicago almost immediately [after Trump was elected] and started terrorizing our parents, our schools, and our neighborhoods,” Pritzker stated.
Both Pritzker and Hochul cited the history of immigration to the United States in their own families. S. . Hochul’s family migrated from Ireland, while Pritzker’s Jewish ancestors arrived as refugees from Ukraine.
“I think that America is a country of immigrants and laws. “The very foundation upon which our great nation was built is in danger if either is abandoned,” Hochul stated.
