Live updates: Pritzker testifies before Congress on Illinois sanctuary laws
The Brief
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is testifying Thursday morning in front of a House committee about the state's sanctuary laws.
Pritzker has said some GOP committee members want to question him "for a dog-and-pony show."
The hearing could serve as another opportunity for Pritzker to position himself as a top contender in the Democratic Party.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Gov. JB Pritzker is set to testify before a U.S. House committee on Thursday morning about the state's "sanctuary" laws aimed at limiting local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Pritzker, along with fellow Democratic governors Tim Walz of Minnesota and Kathy Hochul of New York, appeared in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
The entire hearing is being streamed live in the media player at the top of this story.
9:34 a.m. - Pritzker addresses the busloads of migrants that Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas sent to Chicago starting in August 2022.
"Illinois chose a different path. Faced with a humanitarian crisis, our state made sure children and families did not go hungry or freeze to death," Pritzker said.
9:30 a.m. - Pritzker begins opening remarks: "I have seen firsthand how states have had to shoulder the consequences of a broken immigration system. I'm proud of how we've responded....safe and compassionate immigration policies I believe are vital."
Pritzker then recounted his family history, the arrival of his great-grandfather escaping pogroms and coming to Chicago. It feels like Pritzker might utilize this moment to introduce himself to a national audience who might not be familiar with him.
9:24 a.m. - Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), similar to his role in the Brandon Johnson hearing, hyped up Pritzker's investments and leadership in Illinois.
9:21 a.m. - During Lynch's opening remarks, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, who is running for Governor there, walks out and puts his finger to his head, mouthing the word "crazy."
The political context of these hearings is inescapable: Chairman Comer is running as a Republican for Governor of Kentucky. Donald is running in Florida. Pritzker and Walz may be running for president. There will be fundraising pitches based upon the content today.
9:15 a.m. - Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) follows Chairman Comer, condemning the Trump administration's mass deportation policies.
Lynch used his opening remarks to tie the hearing to the "militarization of American cities" under Trump and the administration's deportation of young U.S. citizens with undocumented parents.
9:07 a.m. - Hearing begins as House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer opens the meeting with opening statements on "dangerous sanctuary policies."
"Let me clear, sanctuary policies don't protect Americans. They protect criminal illegals," Comer said.
8:56 a.m. - Pritzker has entered the building.
8:50 a.m. - Members of the Illinois House Freedom Caucus are in attendance for Pritzker's remarks.
8:40 a.m.
8:25 a.m. - Pritzker's office released his planned remarks hours ahead of the hearing. Among his talking points, Pritzker highlighted how Illinois mobilized quickly to offer shelter, food and services to over 50,000 migrants sent from the southern border without warning.
Pritzker blamed both parties in Congress and the federal government for their failure to act.
He also said that Illinois cooperates with federal authorities on criminal matters but won't misuse state resources for immigration enforcement that doesn't serve public safety.
8:12 a.m. - We are less than an hour away from the opening gavel. Pritzker, Walz and Hochul are expected to kick off the hearing with planned opening remarks.
FOX 32's Paris Schutz laid out what he expects to hear from Pritzker's testimony.
Hours ahead of the hearing, Pritzker released his planned opening remarks, which touched on how Illinois is handling the influx of immigrants and prioritizing public safety.
Read his full remarks here.
What we know
The governor has said he believes some GOP members want to question him "for a dog-and-pony show" and who "simply want to grandstand in front of the cameras."
He added, "I'm going there in a serious matter to give them my views about how we're managing through a problem that's been created for the state by the federal government."
In a statement, Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Kentucky) said, "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."
Back in March, the same committee hosted Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with the mayors of Boston, Denver, and New York, to testify about the city's sanctuary policies.
The national spotlight could also serve as a chance for Pritzker to further cement his status as a top potential contender for the Democratic nomination for president in 2028. The 60-year-old has not yet said if he'll run for re-election to the governorship in 2026.
Pritzker has been garnering national headlines from calling out "do nothing Democrats" during a speech in New Hampshire, a key primary state, to appearing on late night talk shows.
The governor, who is worth $3.7 billion per Forbes, is seen as a top contender for his party's nomination in 2028.
He boasts a long list of progressive accomplishments in Illinois since he first took office in 2019, including codifying abortion rights, banning assault weapons, a big infrastructure funding plan, the legalization of recreational marijuana, and stabilizing the state's notoriously shaky finances.
Dig deeper
In 2017, Illinois enacted the TRUST Act under Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
The law bans local police from complying with federal requests to detain or arrest a person in the country illegally, unless ordered by a judge.
Local law enforcement also cannot stop, search, or arrest anyone based solely on their immigration or citizenship status.
In 2021, the state legislature passed laws expanding protections for immigrants in Illinois.
The updated laws required local officials to end partnerships with ICE to detain immigrants. Lawmakers also prohibited officials from inquiring about the citizenship or immigration status of an individual in custody, unless they're presented with a federal criminal warrant.
Among other measures, the state legislature also required state and local law enforcement agencies to report requests from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Despite the moves to protect migrants from potential arrests and deportations, Republicans have criticized the policies.
U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, a Republican who represents much of the rural cental parts of the state, called on local sheriffs earlier this year to defy the state's sanctuary laws. She said such policies have turned Illinois into a "cesspool of crime and drugs."
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