MyPillow CEO and Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Lindell is drawing attention after proposing a six-month amnesty program for illegal immigrants living in Minnesota, arguing that those without criminal records should be allowed to obtain conditional work visas.
Lindell unveiled the proposal during an interview with the Washington Examiner, saying his approach reflects his belief in giving people “second chances.”
‘I’m a Person of Second Chances’
Lindell said illegal immigrants in Minnesota would be given six months to apply for what he described as a conditional work visa that would allow them to become employed legally.
Under the proposal, immigrants with clean criminal records would be eligible to register for the permits, which Lindell said would not expire.
“Now, you’re not a citizen,” Lindell explained. “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.”
Proposal Inspired by Conversations With Migrants
According to the Washington Examiner, Lindell said the idea developed after conversations he had with illegal immigrants while traveling to California to source cotton for MyPillow products.
He said he listened to their personal stories and concluded that many deserved an opportunity to work legally if they had otherwise obeyed the law.
Lindell did not explain how individuals who entered or remained in the country illegally would qualify for work authorization under existing federal immigration law, nor did he address whether such a proposal would require congressional action.
Trump Recently Endorsed Lindell
The proposal comes shortly after President Donald Trump endorsed Lindell’s gubernatorial campaign.
In a July 15 post on Truth Social, Trump called Lindell “one of America’s greatest and most hard working Patriots.”
The president also wrote that Lindell “truly loves Minnesota” and “wants to bring it back from oblivion and embarrassment.”
Lindell has long been one of Trump’s most outspoken allies and has remained active in Republican politics while pursuing the Minnesota governor’s race.
Similar Debate Emerging in Congress
Lindell’s comments come as some Republicans in Congress are advancing legislation that would expand legal work opportunities for certain illegal immigrants in the agriculture industry.
The proposed Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026 would allow many illegal immigrants already working in the agricultural sector to transition into a modified version of the H-2A visa program, which currently provides temporary visas for seasonal farm workers.
Supporters argue the measure would help stabilize the nation’s food supply by addressing chronic labor shortages in agriculture.
Rosemary Jenks, founder of the Immigration Accountability Project, has described the bill as an amnesty proposal, arguing it would legalize a large number of unlawfully present workers while expanding the agricultural guest-worker system.
Immigration Remains a Dividing Issue
Lindell’s proposal places him at odds with many immigration restriction advocates who have supported Trump’s efforts to increase deportations and discourage illegal immigration.
While Lindell emphasized that his plan would not provide citizenship or voting rights, critics argue that granting permanent work authorization to illegal immigrants could encourage future illegal immigration.
As immigration continues to divide Republicans over questions of enforcement, labor needs and legalization, Lindell’s proposal adds another voice to the debate over future immigration reform.
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