Mike Lindell, the Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, defended a controversial immigration proposal he unveiled during a recent interview, insisting it does not amount to amnesty despite increasing criticism from some who argue that it conflicts with long-held Republican positions on illegal immigration.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Lindell proposed giving illegal aliens six months to register with the government, submit fingerprints, undergo background checks, and receive a conditional work visa. Applicants would not receive citizenship or voting rights, but the work visas would not expire, and they would “never have to leave,” according to Lindell.
Following the backlash, Lindell posted an AI-generated graphic on X reading, “AMNESTY FOR 6 MONTHS?!” alongside a message urging voters to “Learn the REAL TRUTH” about his platform. The post has since been deleted after a flood of critical replies.
Speaking at a town hall after his proposal gained attention, Lindell defended the plan by arguing, “These people have only committed a misdemeanor, maybe, by not going back.”
Mike Lindell doubled down on his immigration plan in a low-attended town hall last night.
His justification for letting illegal aliens stay permanently if they sign up for his conditional visa program is that Joe Biden let them in and they’ve only committed a misdemeanor.
Dude… pic.twitter.com/4IwnIg66Nk
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) July 23, 2026
The proposal also prompted a response from Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist and host of War Room. Bannon had been scheduled to interview Lindell but told viewers during his broadcast, “We’re not going to have Mike Lindell on tonight and I need to do more homework on this bombshell he dropped this afternoon.
BANNON: We’re not going to have Mike Lindell on tonight and I need to do more homework on this bombshell he dropped this afternoon, I just want to give him a note.
I don’t think governors can mess with federal immigration law. https://t.co/oJFyWqvhgw pic.twitter.com/MBqM7puF3n
— Grace Chong, MBI (@gc22gc) July 23, 2026
Lindell’s latest comments have done little to quiet criticism from Republicans, many of whom argue the proposal amounts to amnesty because it would allow illegal aliens to remain in the United States indefinitely.
