Pritzker testifies before Congress on Illinois sanctuary laws

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.

LIVE UPDATES: Congressional hearing over ‘sanctuary’ laws gets underway

5 p.m. - The congressional hearing has adjourned after eight hours.

4:45 p.m. - Rep. Darin LaHood is now questioning his home state governor, saying "I think you believe refusing to turn over violent criminals to federal authorities makes us safer." He also told Gov. Pritzker that he has concerns about the direction his administration is taking toward sanctuary policies, labeling them as "misguided" and "dangerous."

"Because of your failed policies, you've spotlighted Illinois and that truly is unfortunate," LaHood said. 

"Half of that is completely false," Pritzker said. "…You all have the ability to fix this. Do your job." 

"Yeah, I'd deflect if I was you too, governor," LaHood said. 

4:06 p.m. - U.S. Rep. Miller accuses Gov. Pritzker of calling for "mass protests, mobilization and disruption" and asked if he would commit to working with the Trump administration and ICE to "ensure the violence we've seen in Los Angeles doesn't occur in Chicago or anywhere else in the state." 

"We work every day with our federal government… we do all the time work with the federal government, with law enforcement," Pritzker said. 6

"I'm taking that as a yes," Miller said. 

3:35 p.m. - Gov. J.B. Pritzker weighed in on Thursday’s confrontation involving U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, who was shoved and handcuffed during a news conference held by DHS and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.

"… I cannot believe the disrespect that was shown to a United States senator who was thrown down, handcuffed and not allowed to ask a question to Noem… that seems completely irrational," Pritzker said. 

3:26 p.m. - Congressional hearing continues. 

2:57 p.m. - Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) has released a statement on Gov. Pritzker's testimony, shared below: 

"Today, the entire nation was able to witness the daily reality of Illinois: a failed administration that continually places the comforts and desire of undocumented immigrants over the needs of Illinoisans," said Rep. Haas. "This is an example of what happens when politicians are more worried about climbing the political ladder than good governance.

"Illinois taxpayers have paid billions of dollars for programs dedicated to undocumented immigrants, which takes away critical funds that could be used to support essential programs for all Illinois citizens, including seniors and working families.

"I hope this testimony was a wake-up call to the Pritzker administration that the course we are on here in Illinois is completely unsustainable. It’s time to end the billions in funding our taxpayers have been paying for a crisis created by Governor Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson. It’s time to repeal our sanctuary state laws and begin a cooperative relationship with the federal government that will finally benefit and protect Illinoisans." 

2:11 p.m. - Congressional hearing is on a break. Will return shortly. 

2:03 p.m. - Gov. Pritzker told U.S. Rep. Davis that Illinois aims to ensure access to health care and education for all. He also emphasized the importance of policies that support working families, the middle class, and the most vulnerable.

1:52 p.m. - Rep. Greene accused Rep. Frost of being a former member of Antifa. Proceedings have been suspended for two minutes.

1:45 p.m. - Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez addressed all three governors and said there's a pattern of ICE breaking the law and making arrests "largely based on appearance." She also said "all of us must adhere to the law and no one is above it." Pritzker agreed with Ocasio-Cortez and cited recent ICE incidents.

1:22 p.m. - Pritzker says he encourages people to peacefully protest ahead of this weekend's "No Kings" protests scheduled to take place across the country. Went on to say Trump has created a situation where people are "afraid when they stand up and speak out."

1:15 p.m. - 

12:47 p.m. - Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) starts his time taking a jab at Illinoisans who build homes in the Badger State.

Grothman questioned the governors about what services and benefits that people who are not citizens should have access to. 

12:20 p.m. 

12:15 p.m. - Gary Palmer (R-Alabama) asks governors if they are aware that over 400 people were smuggled into the United States with the help of an affiliate of ISIS.

"None of us want terrorists in this country," Pritzker said.

"Then why are you shielding people here from being picked up by our ICE agents, referring to this as a Gestapo organization?" Palmer asked, alluding to a previous comment made by Walz.

12 p.m. - During a 15-minute break, Gill talked with FOX 32's Paris Schutz about his questioning of Pritzker and why he asked about bathrooms during a hearing on sanctuary laws.

"It speaks to the governor's credibility and how much of a lunatic he is," Gill said.

11:31 a.m. - Rep. Gill's questioning of Pritzker is making the rounds on social media.

11:30 a.m. 

11:15 a.m. - Rep. Lauren Boebert told FOX 32 political editor Paris Schutz outside the hearing that sanctuary state policies are fueling unrest and putting communities at risk. 

The Colorado Republican criticized governors in states like Illinois and Minnesota for blocking cooperation with federal immigration agents, calling it a "hypocritical" stance. 

10:46 a.m. - Rep. Danny Davis, who represents Illinois' 7th congressional district, entered the room to waive onto the oversight committee hearing.

10:33 a.m. - Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) starts his time by saying illegal immigration costs each Illinois family $780 per year despite Pritzker questioning that figure.

Pritzker told Gill he does not support abolishing ICE. 

"I believe we need an immigration force in the United States," he said.

The questioning took a bizarre turn when Gill asked Pritzker if biological men should be able to use women's restrooms. 

"I'm not sure how that has to do with immigration," Pritzker said.

10:15 a.m. - Rep. Krishnamoorthi took aim at President Donald Trump in his light "questioning" of Pritzker, outlining the history of the state's TRUST Act.

10:08 a.m. - Pritzker was asked how the presence of ICE agents impacts local schools. 

"Under President Trump, ICE showed up in Chicago nearly immediately and began terrorizing our neighborhoods, our schools and parents. Indeed, many parents felt like they needed to go into hiding, even though their children needed to go to school every day," he said.

9:47 a.m. - House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer questioned Pritzker over the case of Katie Braham, a Glenview woman who was killed in a hit-and-run crash allegedly caused by an undocumented Guatemalan man who fled the scene.

Comer asked Pritzker if the migrant had the right to be in the country illegally.

"I have responsibility for the state of Illinois, I can tell you that it's the responsibility of the federal government to manage immigration in this country and if you're suggesting that the federal government didn't do its job, that is up to you," Pritzker said.

9:40 a.m.

Rep. Ana Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) told Paris that House Republicans are tracking what she calls foreign influence behind recent protests, suggesting links to a China-connected billionaire.

9:35 a.m. 

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.

Pritzker's opening remarks

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.

‘Dog-and-pony show'

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.

Is Illinois a ‘sanctuary’ state?

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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