Four big-city mayors defended their controversial sanctuary policies before Congress this week while facing heated questions from Republican lawmakers who claim these practices violate federal law and endanger Americans.
Quick Takes
- Mayors from Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York testified before Congress defending their cities’ sanctuary policies limiting cooperation with ICE.
- Republican committee members argued sanctuary policies violate federal law and create “sanctuary for criminals,” while mayors contended they follow state and local laws.
- New York Mayor Eric Adams claimed his city’s sanctuary status was beyond his control, criticizing the Biden administration’s border policies.
- Denver’s Mayor Mike Johnston faced questioning about releasing an illegal immigrant who later assaulted ICE officers.
- Mayors emphasized that immigration enforcement is primarily a federal responsibility and called for comprehensive immigration reform.
Mayors Take Stand on Capitol Hill
The mayors of four major American cities – Boston’s Michelle Wu, Chicago’s Brandon Johnson, Denver’s Mike Johnston, and New York’s Eric Adams – appeared before the House Oversight Committee in a contentious six-hour hearing focused on sanctuary policies. These municipal leaders defended practices that limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities, facing sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers who claim such policies deliberately obstruct federal law enforcement and protect criminal illegal immigrants from deportation.
Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) set a confrontational tone from the outset, declaring that sanctuary policies “only create sanctuary for criminals.” Throughout the hearing, Republican representatives highlighted violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants in sanctuary jurisdictions, suggesting these tragedies could have been prevented through proper cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Several lawmakers also raised constitutional concerns, arguing that sanctuary policies violate the Supremacy Clause by interfering with federal law.
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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Constitutional Arguments and Public Safety Claims
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu directly challenged the constitutional argument put forward by critics, 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.” This legal interpretation formed a central component of the mayors’ defense, as they insisted their policies remain within legal boundaries while serving legitimate public safety interests in their communities.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson pushed back against characterizations that sanctuary policies lead to increased crime, noting that crime rates are actually declining in his city. “We know there are myths about these laws. But we must not let mischaracterizations and fearmongering obscure the reality that Chicago’s crime rates are trending down. We still have a long way to go, but sensationalizing tragedy in the name of political expediency is not governing. It’s grandstanding,” Johnson testified, rejecting the premise that sanctuary policies make cities more dangerous.
ICE Cooperation and Federal Policy Tensions
A crucial point of contention involved whether the mayors would honor ICE detainer requests for illegal immigrants in local custody. When questioned directly, several mayors appeared to hedge their answers, distinguishing between administrative warrants issued by ICE and judicial warrants signed by judges. This distinction forms the legal basis for many sanctuary policies, with cities arguing they cannot legally hold someone based solely on an administrative request from ICE without judicial authority.
New York Mayor Eric Adams attempted to distance himself from his city’s sanctuary status, suggesting the policies were mandated by city and state law rather than his own preference. Adams also criticized the Biden administration’s border policies, pointing out the significant strain placed on New York City resources by the migrant crisis. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston faced particularly intense scrutiny over a case where his city released an illegal immigrant who later assaulted ICE officers attempting to take him into custody.
Calls for Federal Action
Despite their disagreements, the mayors found common ground in calling for comprehensive immigration reform from Congress. Denver Mayor Johnston emphasized this point, suggesting that cities are being forced to manage a crisis they didn’t create: “If Denver can find a way to put aside our ideological differences long enough to manage a crisis we didn’t choose or create, it seems only fair to ask that the body that is actually charged with solving this national problem – this Congress – can finally commit to do the same.”
The hearing highlighted the deep partisan divide on immigration policy ahead of the November election. While Republican lawmakers demanded stricter enforcement and suggested potential prosecution of officials who maintain sanctuary policies, Democratic members emphasized the importance of community trust in law enforcement and argued that immigration enforcement remains primarily a federal responsibility. Chairman Comer noted that despite the controversial subject matter, it was “the best-behaved” hearing of the current Congress.
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
