The Democratic mayors of Boston, Chicago, Denver and New York Metropolis on Wednesday pushed again towards Home Republicans’ claims that they’re harboring harmful immigrants and violating immigration legal guidelines as so-called “sanctuary cities.”
Throughout a Home Oversight Committee listening to on Wednesday, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams all defended their actions on immigration enforcement of their respective cities as Republicans on the committee accused them of accelerating crime and impeding on legislation enforcement actions.
Chairman James Comer, a Republican, mentioned these mayors lead cities which have insurance policies that solely create “sanctuary for criminals” and promised to carry them accountable for “their failure to comply with the legislation and shield the American folks.” Comer and different Republicans on the committee recommended that the mayors must be doing extra to cooperate with the Trump administration and its deportation efforts.
(L-R) New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams, Denver Mayor Michael Johnston, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu are sworn in throughout a Home Committee on Oversight and Authorities Reform listening to titled “A Listening to with Sanctuary Metropolis Mayors,” on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2025.
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Sanctuary cities nonetheless implement U.S. federal immigration legal guidelines, however the time period typically refers to a restricted collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement whereas enacting insurance policies which might be extra favorable to undocumented folks.
“As mayor, I don’t management who enters or stays in our nation, however I do should handle the inhabitants that’s inside our metropolis,” mentioned Adams, who mentioned as New York Metropolis mayor he’s working with the Trump administration on immigration help. “With a purpose to perform this operate with out having long run damaging ramification, I have to create an environment that permits each law-abiding resident, documented or not, to entry important providers with out worry of being turned over to federal authorities.”
New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams throughout a Home Oversight and Authorities Reform Committee listening to on sanctuary cities’ insurance policies on the U.S. Capitol on March 5, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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Wu mentioned that the Trump administration is making “hard-working, tax-paying, God-fearing residents afraid to stay their lives.”
“A metropolis that scared will not be a metropolis that is secure. A land dominated by worry will not be the land of the free,” Wu mentioned.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu testifies throughout a Home Oversight and Authorities Reform Committee listening to on sanctuary cities’ insurance policies on the U.S. Capitol on March 5, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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Democrats instantly criticized the Trump administration, arguing the overreach of federal officers has led to illegal detentions and created worry in communities.
“Let’s be clear, the state and native legal guidelines that Republicans have situation with immediately are in full compliance with federal legislation. They don’t impede ICE from finishing up its duties, and they’re backed by proof demonstrating that they preserve folks secure,” Rating Member Gerry Connolly mentioned.
Wednesday’s committee listening to comes as President Donald Trump’s administration officers have ramped up their immigration enforcement efforts with Lawyer Normal Pam Bondi shutting down federal grants to sanctuary cities and a number of threats from “border czar” Tom Homan towards these mayors in the event that they refuse to conform.
On the Conservative Political Motion Convention final month, Homan criticized Boston and its police commissioner, saying he’ll be “bringing hell” to the town over its sanctuary metropolis coverage.
“Let’s speak about Tom Homan,” Wu mentioned Wednesday. “Disgrace on him for mendacity about my metropolis, for having the nerve to insult our police commissioner who has overseen the most secure Boston’s been in anybody’s lifetime. Carry him right here underneath oath, and let’s ask him some questions.”
David J. Bier, Director of Immigration Research on the Cato Institute, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Denver Mayor Michael Johnston and New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams testify on the U.S. Capitol on March 5, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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The mayors pushed again closely on assertions from Republicans that they’re welcoming criminals into their cities, blaming the Trump administration for labeling immigrants as criminals and pushing deceptive crime statistics.
“For those who needed to make us secure, go gun reforms,” Wu later added. “Cease reducing Medicaid. Cease reducing most cancers analysis. Cease reducing funds for veterans. That’s what will make our cities secure.”
Many Republican lawmakers pointed to particular incidents in every of the mayor’s cities about U.S. residents getting injured or killed by the hands of undocumented folks, making an attempt to dispel the mayors’ arguments.
Republican Rep. Jim Jordan obtained in a contentious back-and-forth with Johnston involving a Venezuelan gang member who injured officers throughout an arrest. Because of the state’s sanctuary metropolis coverage, police have been pressured to arrest the person in public somewhat than journey into the jail to detain him, one thing the Republicans criticized.
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace had harsh phrases for the mayors, saying “you all have blood in your palms” over deaths and accidents by the hands of those undocumented folks.
“The entire mayors right here immediately are actively working to hurt the American folks you signify,” Mace mentioned. “You all have blood in your palms.”
