Four big-city Democratic mayors testified before a contentious congressional hearing to defend their “sanctuary” policies for illegal immigrants, facing sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers who claim these practices violate federal law and endanger American citizens.
Quick Takes
- Mayors from Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York defended their limited cooperation with federal immigration authorities before a Republican-led House committee.
- Republican lawmakers accused the mayors of violating the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and protecting criminals rather than citizens.
- NYC Mayor Eric Adams stated his city’s sanctuary status was beyond his control and criticized the Biden administration’s border policies.
- Denver’s mayor faced questioning over an illegal immigrant who was released and later assaulted ICE officers.
- Mayors argued their policies are legal, improve public safety by building community trust, and called on Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform.
Mayors Stand Their Ground Against GOP Criticism
The six-hour hearing before the House Oversight Committee brought together Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, and New York Mayor Eric Adams to defend their cities’ policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Republican committee members forcefully argued that sanctuary policies violate federal law and the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which establishes federal law as supreme over state laws. Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) set the tone early by claiming sanctuary cities “only create sanctuary for criminals.”
The mayors consistently avoided using the term “sanctuary” while defending their policies as both legal and necessary for maintaining trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu directly challenged the constitutional argument, stating, “The Constitution, as I understand it, doesn’t require cities or police officers or anyone to follow … federal laws in conflict with local laws or state laws.”
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu struck a defiant tone in her prepared remarks for a House hearing on immigration enforcement, defending the city’s approach and criticizing the Trump administration’s push to deport undocumented immigrants.
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NYC Mayor Adams Under Extra Scrutiny
New York Mayor Eric Adams faced additional questioning about a potential quid pro quo arrangement with the Justice Department, which had announced charges against him in September but later asked for dismissal. Adams firmly denied any improper arrangement, telling the committee, “There’s no deal, no quid pro quo, and I did nothing wrong.” The mayor also distanced himself from responsibility for New York’s sanctuary status, placing blame on laws at multiple levels of government.
Throughout the hearing, Adams also criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the southern border crisis while receiving some acknowledgment from Republicans for his more recent cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, several committee members suggested his shift might be politically motivated as he faces low approval ratings and corruption investigations.
Cooperation with ICE at the Center of Debate
A key point of contention during the hearing was whether the mayors would turn over detained illegal immigrants to federal authorities. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston faced particularly tough questioning about an incident involving an illegal immigrant who was released and later assaulted ICE officers. The mayors explained that their policies distinguish between criminal warrants, which they honor, and administrative immigration detainers, which they generally do not.
ICE officials have repeatedly claimed that non-cooperation by cities strains resources and endangers agents who must make arrests in communities rather than controlled jail settings. Some Republican lawmakers went as far as suggesting that sanctuary city officials should be prosecuted, though legal experts have expressed doubts about the viability of such prosecutions. The mayors consistently argued that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that requiring local police to act as immigration agents creates distrust in communities.
Call for Immigration Reform
Despite the partisan tensions, the hearing ended with Chairman Comer noting it was “the best-behaved hearing” of the Congress. All four mayors used their platform to call for comprehensive immigration reform, arguing that the current system is broken and requires congressional action. Denver Mayor Johnston made a particularly direct appeal for bipartisan cooperation on meaningful immigration legislation to address the root causes of the crisis facing cities across America.
The hearing highlighted the deep divide between Democratic-led cities and Republican lawmakers on immigration policy, particularly as the nation approaches the November election where immigration remains a top concern for voters. While the mayors emphasized the importance of building trust with immigrant communities to ensure overall public safety, Republicans maintained that sanctuary policies shield criminals from deportation and undermine the rule of law.
Sources:
Big City Mayors Congressional Hearing Testimony Defending Sanctuary City Policy
Republicans hammer mayors of Boston, Chicago, Denver and New York over ‘sanctuary city’ policies
