Gov. Walz Testifies on Immigration Amid Rising National Profile

Washington, D.C. — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz testified Thursday before the U.S. House Oversight Committee regarding illegal immigration and what some are calling “sanctuary states.” The hearing is expected to spark significant debate and could further elevate the governor’s profile on the national stage.

Walz, who has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump on issues such as immigration and budgeting, recently wrapped up a challenging legislative session. In a new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll, 58% of Minnesotans expressed approval of his job performance, although the sentiment around a potential third term is mixed.

“This might be one of the most satisfying moments since I’ve been governor to be able to bring together a budget like this,” Walz stated after winning approval for a budget that was passed three weeks after the original deadline.

While many support Walz’s governance, his future political ambitions remain uncertain. The poll indicated 43% of respondents would like him to run for governor again, while an equal percentage think he should not.

During the hearing, Walz rejected the label of “sanctuary state” for Minnesota. He stated, “Now we have a broken immigration system in this country. I think everyone in this room agrees with that. But nothing Minnesota has done to serve its own people stands in the way of the federal government managing border security and policies.”

Walz faced criticisms from Republican representatives, including House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, who claimed the state’s policies support illegal immigrants through taxpayer-funded benefits. Emmer argued that policies enacted under Walz reflect a sanctuary state environment.

Walz also confronted backlash for remarks he made at a recent graduation ceremony, where he compared Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to the Gestapo. Representative Byron Donalds of Florida questioned the appropriateness of Walz’s statement, emphasizing the historical implications of such comparisons.

As discussions on immigration policy intensify, Walz’s political future in both Minnesota and on a national scale remains uncertain. Coverage of the hearing continues with updates throughout the day.