Overview
- Lindell set out the plan in interviews and an 18‑page memo published Tuesday, proposing a one‑time six‑month (reported also as 120‑day) window for undocumented immigrants to register for a conditional work visa.
- Under the proposal applicants would be fingerprinted, barred from citizenship and voting, limited to those without felony or gross‑misdemeanor records, and people with serious convictions would face immediate deportation.
- Legal analysts and reporters say a Minnesota governor could not unilaterally pause removals or create federal visas, so the idea would require cooperation from the Department of Homeland Security or new legislation from Congress.
- The proposal drew swift criticism from GOP primary rivals and conservative commentators who labeled it amnesty, while some allies including Steve Bannon expressed concern about its legality; President Donald Trump had endorsed Lindell days earlier.
- Lindell has both defended the plan in public events and posted support for President Trump’s deportation agenda, producing mixed messages that could reshape the Aug. 11 Republican primary and affect employers, enforcement and immigrant communities if acted on.