Over the course of the eight-hour hearing, Gov. Pritzker and the Democratic governors of fellow sanctuary states Minnesota and New York were questioned about their support for failed sanctuary state laws that prohibit local law enforcement agencies from working with federal authorities to detain and deport dangerous criminal illegal aliens.
Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie released the following statement in response to Gov. Pritzker’s testimony:
“Governor Pritzker’s sanctuary state policies have failed—and now he’s in Washington trying to answer for Illinois’ sanctuary state disaster.
“Since 2022, Illinois taxpayers have shelled out over $3 billion on services for illegal immigrants, while families here struggle with affordability, rising crime, and crumbling infrastructure.
“His administration just passed the largest budget in state history—stuffed with hidden items like $1.3 million for a migrant shelter that was never built, $40 million for Welcoming Centers, and $110 million more for healthcare for illegal immigrants. Millions are being funneled into programs that put illegal immigrants ahead of our own residents.”
Under Governor Pritzker’s reign, Illinois has become the go-to destination for illegal immigrants, where they can receive platinum healthcare, housing, food, and more - all on the taxpayer’s dime.
Illinois law bans local authorities from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when they try to locate dangerous illegal immigrants.
Governor Pritzker’s policies prioritize the protection of illegal immigrants over the safety of Illinois citizens. There are at least 530,000 illegal immigrants living in Illinois today, which costs Illinois taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
The migrant crisis in Illinois is a direct result of Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson recklessly inviting unvetted, illegal immigrants to our state.
The billions of taxpayer dollars being spent on undocumented immigrants directly takes away funds that could be used to support essential programs for all Illinois citizens, including seniors and those most economically and socially vulnerable. Illinois is one of only five states in the nation that provides Medicare-like benefits, at taxpayer cost, to undocumented immigrants.
Governor Pritzker is running around the country campaigning for President while folks in Illinois know the devastating effects his failed leadership continues to have on the state.
The State of Illinois is currently being sued by the Department of Justice because of Illinois’ sanctuary state policies, with threats to lose federal funding.
No matter how hard Governor Pritzker tries to deflect blame on seemingly anyone else for his failures, it is his reckless leadership that has led to Illinois becoming one of the top destinations for illegal immigrants.
Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson pander to their political base, passing out-of-touch immigration reforms, and then when those policies ultimately fail, they spread false information, withhold key details, blame anyone but themselves and refuse to answer basic questions about the impact of these policies.
As long as Illinois continues its poor public policies that put illegal immigrants above Illinois families, we will continue to see families and businesses leaving this state in droves. This should not be a partisan issue: the safety and economic prosperity of Illinois citizens should be our first priority.