House Republicans are calling on the Democratic mayors of Boston, Chicago, Denver and New York City to testify before Congress regarding sanctuary policies that protect migrants living in the country without proper documentation. Sanctuary policies limit the ability of local law enforcement and government employees to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, announced on X that he is launching an “investigation into sanctuary cities across the United States and their impact on public safety.” The committee also requests “documents and information related to the sanctuary policies” of each city.
Comer has specifically called on Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston, Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago, Mayor Mike Johnston of Denver, and Mayor Eric Adams of New York City to publicly testify at an oversight hearing on Feb. 11.
“Sanctuary jurisdictions and their misguided and obstructionist policies hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities, making Americans less safe,” Comer wrote in a letter to each mayor.
It remains unclear if any of the mayors will testify.
NBC Boston News reached out to Wu’s office for comment. Wu is reportedly expecting her third child. The oversight hearing is scheduled less than a month after her expected due date.
“We are proud that Boston is the safest major city in the United States,” a city spokesperson said in a statement to NBC Boston. “We have received the letter and are reviewing it.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams met with President Donald Trump’s “border czar” in December. The two reportedly agreed on the need to deport criminal migrants. However, during an interview with Tucker Carlson last week, Adams did not back down from New York City’s sanctuary policies.
“Well, then why isn’t it fair for other states that are a part of the United States and obeying federal law to send all of their illegals here?” Carlson asked before adding, “Because you guys welcome them, and I mean, you can pay for it.”
“No, we’re not welcoming them, and we’ve been very clear,” Adams responded.
“It sounds like you are,” Carlson said.
“No, we say when they’re here, and they’re following the rules, and they’re paying their taxes and doing the things people are supposed to do,” Adams continued.
Denver’s Mayor Mike Johnston also released a statement Monday night, Jan. 27, through a spokesperson. It said: “The most helpful thing Congressional Republicans could do right now is fix our broken immigration system. While they work on that, we will focus on running the cities that manage the consequences of their failure to act.”
Johnson, of Chicago, has not yet disclosed whether he will testify before the oversight committee.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have recently taken place in Boston, Chicago, Denver and New York City. It led to the arrest of hundreds of individuals residing in the country illegally.
