Tim Walz’s Immigration Record Under Scrutiny as Debate Sharpens Over Border Security.
Introduction
As the 2024 presidential campaign heats up, Tim Walz, Minnesota’s governor and Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, is finding his immigration record under intense scrutiny. During his tenure in Congress, Walz largely aligned with his Democratic colleagues on immigration issues. However, his actions as governor have made him a focal point in the national debate on border security.
Health Care and Public Insurance for Undocumented Immigrants
Last year, Walz signed legislation extending health care and public insurance to undocumented immigrants, making Minnesota one of just two states with such a policy. While other states provide coverage to undocumented minors and specific adult groups, only Minnesota and California offer state health coverage to low-income individuals regardless of immigration status. The District of Columbia also has a similar policy for undocumented immigrants.
In addition to health care, Walz also signed a law granting driver’s licenses to the estimated 81,000 undocumented immigrants in Minnesota and another measure offering them access to free college tuition.
“Ensuring drivers in our state are licensed and carry insurance makes the roads safer for all Minnesotans,” Walz said. “As a longtime supporter of this bill, I am proud to finally sign it into law, making our roads safer and moving us toward our goal of making Minnesota the best state to raise a family for everyone.”
Republican Criticism
Walz’s actions have drawn sharp criticism from Republicans, particularly those who prioritize tough immigration policies. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, for example, has been vocal in his opposition, linking Harris’s selection of Walz as her running mate to what he calls the “most dangerous P/VP ticket ever.”
“She supports free health care to illegal immigrants,” Abbott wrote on social media. “He signed laws giving state services to them. Both provide magnets for more illegal immigration.”
Walz’s Response
Walz has dismissed Republican criticisms, arguing that Democrats need to focus on good policy proposals rather than engage in partisan rhetoric. During a CNN interview on July 30, he cited a Senate compromise bill as central to Harris’s plan to curb illegal immigration. He blamed former President Donald Trump for derailing the legislation for political gain.
“The Border Patrol agents endorsed it,” Walz said. “These are folks who know what needs to be done, but he’s not interested in solving the problem. What Democrats need to do is acknowledge, and he has ginned up fear, but our border can work better.”
Walz has consistently opposed Trump’s proposal for a border wall, suggesting it could be easily bypassed. “That’s not how you stop this,” he said. “You stop this using electronics, you stop it using more border control agents, and you stop it by having a legal system that allows for that tradition of allowing folks to come here, just like my relatives did to come here, be able to work and establish the American dream.”
Previous Stance on Sanctuary Policies
In the past, Walz also hinted that Minnesota should consider becoming a sanctuary state, where local law enforcement would not cooperate with federal immigration officials when dealing with undocumented immigrants. Although Minnesota has not adopted this policy, two counties—Hennepin and Ramsey—are sanctuary communities.
“My position on Minnesota becoming a sanctuary state boils down to who has the responsibility for enforcing immigration laws,” Walz told CBS News in 2018. “Congress has given federal agencies the authority to enforce immigration laws in Minnesota, and I support their doing so. Congress has not given local law enforcement that same authority. The role of law enforcement is to enforce state and local laws, not federal immigration laws, and I strongly believe that they should not do so.”
Political Implications
Walz’s record on immigration is likely to be a major point of contention in the 2024 presidential race. Republicans have already begun to use his actions as governor as a way to criticize the Democratic ticket. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina took to Twitter to slam Harris’s choice of Walz as a running mate, labeling him as a reflection of “true liberal values” and accusing him of inaction during the unrest in Minneapolis following George Floyd’s death.
“Not only did Governor Tim Walz sign legislation giving free college and free health care to illegal immigrants, but he sat on the sidelines and watched Minneapolis burn for four days straight,” Graham tweeted.
Conclusion
Throughout his political career, Walz has supported legislation aimed at providing pathways to citizenship for young undocumented immigrants pursuing higher education or military service. His voting record in Congress also includes opposition to Republican efforts to deny deportation relief to undocumented immigrants.
As the 2024 election approaches, Walz’s immigration policies will likely remain a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over border security and the future of immigration in America.