Minnesota Governor Tim Walz appeared on Fox News Sunday to defend his administration’s policies on providing benefits to immigrants in the country illegally, including access to driver's licenses, free tuition, and healthcare.
Breitbart reported that during the interview, Walz emphasized that Minnesota has some of the safest roads, leading the nation in healthcare access, and remains a top destination for businesses.
Walz's appearance on the broadcast followed recent concerns about whether such state programs might attract more immigrants to Minnesota and why taxpayers should fund these initiatives.
The Wall Street Journal had recently highlighted these programs, prompting Fox News host Shannon Bream to question their broader impact especially as regular Americans struggle to make ends meet.
Walz pointed to Minnesota’s success in key areas to justify these policies. He noted that the state ranks as a top-five business state, a top-three state for children’s living conditions, and the top state for healthcare access. These achievements, according to Walz, demonstrate that the policies are beneficial for all residents, not just immigrants.
The Governor also made a case for public safety, claiming that Minnesota's roads are among the safest in the country.
He linked this directly to the availability of driver's licenses for immigrants, suggesting that allowing more people access to legal driving helps reduce accidents and improve overall road safety.
Despite these claims, Bream raised concerns about the financial burden on taxpayers. “Are those not magnets that draw people here, many times on dangerous journeys for themselves, and why should your taxpayers in Minnesota or across the States pay for those programs?” she asked.
Bream’s question echoed a common criticism that policies like free tuition and healthcare could incentivize more illegal immigration.
Walz countered this argument by affirming that the vice president's policies on border control are strong and fair, although he refrained from going into specifics on immigration enforcement. “Her border policies are the most strongest and fairest we have seen,” Walz remarked, referring to Vice President Kamala Harris.
One of the key pillars of Walz’s defense was Minnesota’s healthcare system, which he described as the best in the nation.
According to the Governor, enrolling immigrants into the state's low-income healthcare program is part of what has kept Minnesota at the forefront of healthcare access and overall well-being. The policy allows undocumented immigrants to access medical care they would otherwise not afford, benefiting both individuals and the broader community.
Walz argued that this initiative, while controversial, plays a significant role in keeping Minnesota’s population healthy and reducing emergency room visits. He also pointed out that this contributes to the state’s strong business environment by maintaining a healthy workforce.
Another hotly debated aspect of Minnesota's policies is the provision of free tuition for undocumented immigrants at state universities.
Walz insisted that this program is essential for improving educational outcomes and creating opportunities for individuals who might otherwise be locked out of higher education.
By increasing access to education, Walz believes Minnesota is fostering a stronger, more inclusive economy. He argued that when more people, regardless of their immigration status, can attain degrees and contribute to the workforce, the state becomes more competitive.
