Mike Lindell, the Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, drew sharp criticism Wednesday after proposing a six-month amnesty period that would allow illegal immigrants with no other criminal history to register for non-expiring conditional work visas.
“I’d like the whole United States to do this, but let’s say I did it here in Minnesota,” Lindell said in a Tuesday interview. “Six months, all the illegal immigrants would have to go get what’s going to be called a conditional work visa.”
Lindell outlines conditional visa plan
Under Lindell’s proposal, Minnesota would impose a six-month deportation moratorium while illegal immigrants register, submit fingerprints, and undergo criminal background checks. Applicants would not receive citizenship or voting rights, but the conditional visas would not expire.
“I’m a person of second chances, if the only thing they ever did was cross the border and didn’t report back in because they were afraid of being re-deported,” Lindell said.
“Now, you’re not a citizen,” he added. “You can’t vote, but you have this card that now you can work and you can go be paying taxes, be functioning in society.”
Lindell also said employers who continued paying illegal immigrants in cash after the registration period should face jail time.
“If you’re caught hiring people for cash again, hiring people for cash, the illegals, you go to prison,” Lindell said. “The CEO will go to prison for 90 days, or to jail.”
A Minnesota governor could not independently create a federal work visa or halt federal removals. Congress holds broad authority over immigration policy, while the Department of Homeland Security administers visa petitions, immigration benefits, and enforcement. Lindell’s plan would therefore require federal cooperation or congressional action.
Republicans criticize proposal
In a separate interview clip posted Wednesday, the host told Lindell his proposal sounded like Democratic immigration plans.
“Mike, this sounds exactly like some of the Democratic proposals over the years,” the host said.
“Well, I’m sure maybe the Republicans won’t like me for it,” Lindell responded.
“I think a lot of people on the Democratic side will agree with you,” the host said.
“Absolutely,” Lindell replied.
Liberal host: “Mike this sounds exactly like some of the Democratic proposals over the years.”
Lindell: “Well I’m sure maybe the Republicans won’t like me for it.”
Liberal host: “I think a lot of people on the Democratic side will agree with you.”
Lindell: “Absolutely.” pic.twitter.com/P4BZwv8OTQ
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) July 22, 2026
Minnesota-based Republican strategist Dustin Grage accused Lindell of abandoning Republican voters on immigration.
“Mike Lindell just surrendered to the radical left by supporting amnesty for illegal aliens,” Grage wrote on X. “This is insane.”
Texas Scorecard publisher Michael Quinn Sullivan also criticized Lindell, writing that the candidate was “pushing far-left talking points on border security and amnesty for illegal aliens.”
The backlash came as the August 11 Republican primary remained effectively tied on Polymarket. At 5:31 p.m. Central on Wednesday, Lindell stood at 50% and Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth at 49%, with more than $452,000 traded.
President Donald Trump endorsed Lindell on July 15, calling him “the ‘Pillow Man’” and saying he would be “SPECTACULAR” as governor. The Minnesota Republican Party said it was “surprised” by the endorsement and questioned Lindell’s electability.
Minnesota’s gubernatorial race has also drawn national attention over alleged fraud in taxpayer-funded programs under Gov. Tim Walz. A House Oversight Committee majority staff report accused Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison of failing to stop widespread fraud despite repeated warnings, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Provided by Dallas Express
