MyPillow CEO and Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Lindell is facing backlash from some conservatives after unveiling a proposal that would allow certain illegal aliens in the state to seek conditional work authorization.
Lindell said the plan would be limited to individuals with clean criminal records and would not grant citizenship or voting rights.
In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Lindell said his proposal would give illegal aliens in Minnesota six months to apply for what he described as a conditional work visa.
Under the plan, those with clean criminal histories would be able to register for the permits, which Lindell said would not expire.
“Now, you’re not a citizen,” Lindell said. “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 said the idea developed after conversations with illegal aliens while traveling to California to source cotton for MyPillow products.
He said hearing their personal stories influenced his view that some individuals who entered the country illegally should have an opportunity to work legally if they have otherwise followed the law.
Lindell described himself as “a person of second chances” when discussing the proposal.
Questions remain over how the proposal could be implemented, including whether a state-level program could create work authorization for people who lack legal status under federal immigration rules.
Lindell also did not outline how the plan would address broader immigration enforcement questions, including whether expanded work authorization could lead to future demands for additional legal status.
Lindell’s comments came shortly after President Donald Trump endorsed his campaign for Minnesota governor.
In a July 15 post on Truth Social, Trump described Lindell as “one of America’s greatest and most hard working Patriots” and said Lindell “truly loves Minnesota” and wants to improve the state.
Lindell has remained one of Trump’s most prominent allies while seeking the Republican nomination, according to Breitbart.
The proposal comes as some Republican lawmakers are also debating changes to immigration-related work programs.
Resist the Mainstream reported yesterday that up to 50 Republican legislators supported a measure called the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026, which would allow certain agricultural workers currently in the country illegally to transition into an expanded version of the H-2A visa program.
Supporters say the measure could address labor shortages in agriculture, while immigration restriction advocates have described it as an amnesty proposal.
Lindell’s proposal sparked criticism from several conservative commentators on X.
Townhall contributor Dustin Grange criticized the idea, writing that Lindell had “surrendered” by supporting amnesty for illegal aliens and arguing the proposal could damage his campaign.
Other conservative accounts, including MJTruthUltra and AwakenedOutlaw, expressed disappointment with the announcement.
AwakenedOutlaw described the proposal as a potential “deal breaker,” while political commentator Brian Cates questioned why Lindell raised the issue after receiving Trump’s endorsement.
Conservative influencer Sherri Unfiltered also criticized the proposal, questioning whether it could hurt Lindell’s support among Republican voters.
The reaction highlights ongoing divisions among Republicans over immigration policy, including questions about border enforcement, labor shortages, and possible legalization efforts.
Lindell has emphasized that his proposal would not provide citizenship or voting rights, while critics argue that granting legal work authorization to illegal aliens could have broader consequences for immigration policy.
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