WASHINGTON, D.C. (Capital City Now) – Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is one of three Democratic governors who were on Capitol Hill, fielding questions about sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
In an opening statement, Pritzker claimed the state’s sanctuary policy does not shield undocumented migrants from illegal activity.
“Violent criminals have no place on our streets,” said Pritzker. “And, if they are undocumented, I want them out of Illinois, and out of our country.”
The Trump administration recently listed Illinois, Minnesota and New York as three of the hundreds of jurisdictions it says are defying federal immigration law. Pritzker testified Illinois follows the law, and that it is up to the federal government to address immigration, not Illinois.
The governors weren’t given much if any time to answer questions posed to them, which included the use of the National Guard, but also went off-topic to things like transgender residents using bathrooms, and how much Medicaid cuts would impact states like Illinois.
At one point, while answering immigration questions from Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas), the questioning took a sudden shift.
“I do not support abolishing an immigration force,” said Pritzker.
“That’s good to hear,” said Gill. “Mr. Governor, do you think biological men should be able to use women’s restrooms?”
“I’m noy sure how this has to do with immigration…” said Pritzker.
“It’s just a yes or no question,” said Gill.
“Why are you politicizing this?” asked Pritzker, as Gill spoke over him. “Why are you politicizing this? I thought we were doing fact-finding.”
Pritzker was partially questioned by committee chair, Rep. James Comer (R-Kentucky) about University of Illinois Student Katie Abraham, whose family was in attendance. She was said to be killed when struck by an allegedly drunk driver, who also had a false passport, Social Security card, and driver’s license on him. Pritzker said the suspect, and other suspects who may be illegal or undocumented, deserve due process before they are sent out of the country.
That led to another exchange.
“If the person is a criminal of any sort, then they ought to be arrested, they ought to be given their due process rights, and they ought to be convicted,” said Pritzker, while Comer asked over him whether that person had a right to be in the United States.
Pritzker said later as someone who has called out the National Guard to respond to serious incidents, he has always done so lawfully and while consulting local officials. As was the case this week with protests in Los Angeles, he said President Trump did not consult anyone before doing so.
At the time this story was posted Thursday afternoon, the hearing was still going on.
(CBS News contributed some details to this story)