Tim Walz Claims Minnesota Isn’t a Sanctuary State, Gets Debunked to His Face [WATCH]

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform convened Thursday to examine the impact of sanctuary state policies on public safety, drawing governors from key states to testify, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul. California Governor Gavin Newsom, despite being central to the sanctuary policy debate, did not attend the hearing.

The hearing focused on state-level policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Each governor defended their respective state’s approach, asserting they follow the law while protecting immigrant communities.

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However, several Republican lawmakers used the forum to challenge what they described as deliberate obstruction of federal immigration enforcement.

Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), the Majority Whip and a representative from Minnesota’s 6th District, directly confronted Governor Walz over his public statements and legislative actions.

During his opening statement, Walz denied that Minnesota is a sanctuary state, stating, “Minnesota is not even a sanctuary state,” and claiming that no official declaration has been made in the legislature or through executive order.

Tim Walz says he never signed laws making Minnesota a sanctuary state. But also says he won’t work with ICE to deport all illegals. He’ll only help deport certain illegals who are too politically toxic to defend.

Walz has many pro-illegals policies in MN.pic.twitter.com/FVChQeGZb5

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) June 12, 2025

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Rep. Emmer disputed that claim, pointing to multiple laws Walz has signed that provide benefits to illegal immigrants and limit cooperation with federal authorities.

“Governor Walz, you signed the Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill into law in 2023. That bill expanded free healthcare to illegal aliens. You signed the Higher Education Omnibus Bill in May 2023, allowing illegal immigrants to receive taxpayer-funded college tuition. You also signed the Driver’s License for All Act in March 2023, which allows illegal aliens to obtain driver’s licenses,” Emmer said.

Emmer continued, “So you claim you’re not a sanctuary state, yet you provide free healthcare, free college, and driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. Meanwhile, your attorney general directs law enforcement to ignore ICE detainers. Do you agree with that guidance?”

Governor Walz responded initially with general comments about his responsibilities as governor, but was repeatedly pressed by Emmer to answer directly.

“It’s a very easy question,” Emmer said.

“You say you’re not a sanctuary state but support policies that prevent ICE from doing their job. Isn’t that right?”

Emmer then cited a past tweet from Walz dated May 2018, where Walz wrote, “I support policies that keep law enforcement from enforcing federal laws.”

• I strongly support immigrant communities. I support policies that keep law enforcement from enforcing federal laws that everyone knows are broken. I will not back down on that commitment, and I won’t back down to a bully.

— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) May 23, 2018

He also referenced remarks Walz made in May 2024 at the University of Minnesota Law School commencement, where the governor referred to ICE as “Donald Trump’s modern-day Gestapo.”

Disgraced loser @GovTimWalz thinks ICE agents are the “modern day Gestapo.”

🧵 Here are a few of the criminal illegals the brave men and women of ICE have gotten off the streets of Tim Walz’s Minnesota in recent weeks. pic.twitter.com/iEnIIu09Ya

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 18, 2025

Emmer responded: “When you said ‘modern-day Gestapo,’ you were referring to ICE agents. The Gestapo was Nazi Germany’s secret police. Given the recent attacks on ICE agents in Los Angeles, don’t you regard your dangerous, inflammatory rhetoric as a problem?”

Walz did not directly answer but asked, “What questions do you want me to answer first?” prompting further criticism from Emmer.

“You owe an apology to these dedicated public servants,” Emmer said.

“This rhetoric has put a target on the backs of ICE agents who risk their lives daily to protect our country.”

Emmer went on to reference the 2020 riots in Minneapolis, blaming Walz for refusing to call in the National Guard in time to prevent widespread destruction.

“Your agenda is clear,” Emmer said.

“Free healthcare, free college, and driver’s licenses for illegals, while handcuffing law enforcement when they try to protect our communities.”

He concluded: “If you think that’s not a sanctuary state, then you shouldn’t be governor. You have failed to uphold the rule of law, failed our national sovereignty, and failed the people of Minnesota. The voters made their voices clear when they elected President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The time for real leadership is now.”

WATCH: Majority Whip Tom Emmer grills Gov. Tim Walz on his pro-illegal immigration agenda

“Your agenda is clear. Free healthcare, free college and driver’s licenses for illegals while handcuffing law enforcement.” pic.twitter.com/DZWu67FE60

— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) June 12, 2025

The hearing, which highlighted the divide between state and federal approaches to immigration enforcement, also included broader discussions about recent protests in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, where sanctuary policies and ICE operations remain a flashpoint of political contention.

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