Republican Governors Spencer Cox of Utah and Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma have joined a bipartisan National Governors Association (NGA) task force focused on developing state-level solutions for immigration policy, with a particular emphasis on addressing workforce concerns. The initiative, which also includes Democratic Governors Wes Moore of Maryland and Matt Meyer of Delaware, seeks to explore new avenues for immigration reform amidst a reported decline in illegal border crossings.
"I think what the American public loves is that me and the governor of New York can agree on a lot of issues on immigration reform." — Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt
Governor Cox, discussing the effort in an interview with Bloomberg, indicated that Republican and Democratic governors found significant common ground on both border security and broader immigration issues. He suggested that a more secure border environment could create an opening for lawmakers to consider systemic changes, including reforms to legal workforce programs. This sentiment was echoed by Governor Stitt, who noted that the task force originated from shared concerns raised by businesses in key sectors such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality. These industries, Stitt explained, have consistently urged state leaders to explore methods for fulfilling workforce needs, including the potential for governors to issue workforce permits.
The concept of state-sponsored workforce permits aligns with a recent legislative proposal by Utah Senator John Curtis, a Republican, which aims to establish a voluntary state-sponsored visa program. Such a program would grant states a more significant role in managing temporary migrant workforce requirements, potentially decentralizing aspects of immigration policy that have traditionally been federal responsibilities.
During the Bloomberg interview, both Governor Cox and Governor Stitt were directly asked about the effectiveness of the approaches taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Neither governor raised their hand in affirmation. Governor Cox specifically voiced concerns regarding "the violence and the deaths" associated with immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota, describing these incidents as "deeply problematic."
This collaborative approach by Governors Cox and Stitt comes amid their complex relationships with President Donald Trump. Governor Cox has faced past criticism from some conservative factions due to his disagreements with President Trump. Notably, Cox did not vote for President Trump in either the 2016 or 2020 elections. Although he initially did not plan to support President Trump in 2024, he later changed his stance following an assassination attempt on President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, as reported by The Blaze. In 2022, conservative activist Charlie Kirk called for Cox's removal from the Republican Party after the Utah governor supported policies allowing trans-identifying male athletes to compete in women’s sports.
Governor Stitt, despite having received President Trump's endorsement and fundraising support during his 2022 gubernatorial campaign, has also experienced friction with the President. Stitt endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, during the 2024 Republican presidential primary, leading President Trump to publicly criticize him as a "RINO Governor," according to NOTUS. Despite these past disagreements, Governor Stitt has consistently emphasized the importance of cooperation between governors from both parties, asserting that leaders can maintain differing political views while still effectively collaborating on shared concerns. He stated, "I think what the American public loves is that me and the governor of New York can agree on a lot of issues on immigration reform."
However, not all Republican governors support this state-led approach. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, through his spokesperson Andrew Mehalaris, explicitly rejected proposals that could create incentives for illegal immigration or treat individuals who entered the country unlawfully as a labor source. Mehalaris conveyed to Blaze News that Texas prioritizes its own citizens for jobs and argued that states not experiencing the same level of illegal immigration pressures should not dictate policy for those on the front lines.
The formation of this task force coincides with Governor Stitt’s transition out of his role as chairman of the National Governors Association. In an interview with The Associated Press, Stitt reflected on his experience working with governors across the political spectrum, noting that elected officials often share more common ground than the public perceives. He further underscored the principle of state authority, advocating for states to retain flexibility in pursuing policies aligned with their specific priorities and needs.
As of now, the National Governors Association has not released a detailed agenda for its Immigration Policy Task Force. Requests for comment to Governors Cox, Stitt, Moore, Meyer, and the NGA regarding the group's specific plans have not yet received responses. The discussions, however, signal a growing interest among state leaders in carving out a more active role in shaping national immigration discourse and policy implementation.
