Republican governors Spencer Cox of Utah and Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma are working with Democratic governors on a National Governors Association task force focused on immigration policy, with the group calling for a state-level approach to addressing workforce concerns.
Cox discussed the effort during an interview with Bloomberg, saying Republican and Democratic governors found significant agreement on border security and immigration issues.
The task force also includes Democratic Govs. Wes Moore of Maryland and Matt Meyer of Delaware.
Cox said the group believes the current moment presents a different opportunity for immigration discussions because illegal border crossings have declined from previous highs.
He argued that a more secure border could create room for lawmakers to consider changes to the nation’s immigration system, including reforms related to legal workforce programs.
Stitt said the task force was created after governors from both parties raised similar concerns from businesses in industries including agriculture, construction, and hospitality.
He said employers in those sectors have been asking state leaders to explore ways to address workforce needs, including the possibility of governors issuing workforce permits.
The proposal mirrors a recent measure introduced by Utah Sen. John Curtis (R) that would create a voluntary state-sponsored visa program allowing states a larger role in managing temporary migrant workforce needs.
During the Bloomberg interview, the governors were asked whether they believed the approach taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had been effective.
Neither Cox nor Stitt raised their hands in response.
Cox said he had concerns about “the violence and the deaths” connected to immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota, describing those incidents as “deeply problematic.”
The Utah governor has previously faced criticism from some conservatives over disagreements with President Donald Trump.
Cox did not vote for Trump in the 2016 or 2020 elections and initially planned not to support him in 2024 before changing his position after Trump was nearly killed during an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, according to The Blaze.
In 2022, conservative activist Charlie Kirk called for Cox’s removal from the Republican Party after Cox supported allowing trans-identifying male athletes to compete in women’s sports.
Stitt, who received Trump’s endorsement and fundraising support during his 2022 gubernatorial campaign, has also had disagreements with the president.
Stitt endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) during the 2024 Republican presidential primary, and Trump later criticized him as a “RINO Governor,” according to NOTUS. ‘
Stitt has continued emphasizing cooperation between governors of both parties, saying leaders can disagree while still working together on shared concerns.
At least one Republican governor has rejected the task force’s approach.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s spokesperson Andrew Mehalaris told Blaze News Abbott would not support proposals that create incentives for illegal immigration or treat people who entered the country unlawfully as a labor source.
He said Texas believes jobs should prioritize Texans and argued states that did not experience the same level of illegal immigration pressures should not set policy for others.
The immigration discussion comes as Stitt prepares to transition out of his role as chairman of the National Governors Association.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Stitt said his experience working with governors from both parties showed him that elected officials often share more common ground than the public may realize.
He also emphasized the importance of state authority, arguing that states should have flexibility to pursue policies based on their own priorities.
The National Governors Association has not released an agenda for its Immigration Policy Task Force. Cox, Stitt, Moore, Meyer, and the organization did not respond to requests for comment regarding the group’s plans.
WATCH:
