Mayor Mike Johnston-Denver, Mayor Brandon Johnson-Chicago, Mayor Eric Adams-NYC, Mayor Michelle Wu-Boston
On March 5, 2025, a significant hearing took place before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, chaired by Representative James Comer (R-Ky.), titled “A Hearing with Sanctuary City Mayors.” The mayors of four prominent sanctuary cities—New York City’s Eric Adams, Boston’s Michelle Wu, Chicago’s Brandon Johnson, and Denver’s Mike Johnston—testified regarding their cities’ policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. This hearing, held at 10:00 AM ET in HVC-210 on Capitol Hill, was part of an investigation launched by Comer in January 2025 to examine the impact of sanctuary jurisdictions on public safety and federal immigration enforcement.
The contentious hearing lasted approximately six hours, and highlighted a stark partisan divide. Republican lawmakers accused the mayors of violating federal law by shielding undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal records, from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), claiming these policies endanger American communities. Comer and others, including Representatives Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace, pressed the mayors with pointed questions, often demanding yes-or-no answers about their willingness to turn over immigrants to ICE and their cities’ sanctuary statuses. They argued that such policies obstruct President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, which includes mass deportations, and some even suggested the mayors could face prosecution.
In contrast, the Democratic mayors defended their policies as essential for public safety and community trust. They argued that limiting cooperation with ICE—such as not honoring immigration detainers unless accompanied by a criminal warrant signed by a judge—encourages undocumented immigrants to report crimes and access services without fear of deportation. Eric Adams emphasized New York’s compliance with federal law while maintaining that sanctuary status does not protect violent criminals, citing declining crime rates. Michelle Wu highlighted Boston’s record-low homicide rate, attributing it partly to policies fostering cooperation with local police, and called for comprehensive federal immigration reform. Brandon Johnson and Mike Johnston similarly rejected claims that their cities harbor criminals, with Johnston clarifying that Denver provides services without shielding immigrants from law enforcement when warranted.
The hearing also revealed political tensions beyond immigration policy. Adams faced scrutiny from Democrats over his cooperation with the Trump administration, particularly after federal corruption charges against him were dropped, raising questions of a potential quid pro quo—allegations he denied. Meanwhile, Republicans used the platform to reinforce Trump’s narrative linking immigration to crime, despite the mayors’ counterarguments that crime rates have decreased in their cities and that immigrants are not inherently dangerous.
Ultimately, the hearing served as both a battleground for immigration policy debates and a national stage for the mayors to articulate their approaches, reflecting broader tensions between local governance and federal authority under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The mayors urged Congress to address the issue through bipartisan legislation rather than targeting sanctuary cities, while Republicans signaled continued pressure, including threats to cut federal funding to non-compliant jurisdictions. (Grok Review, 3/5/2025)
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 6, 2025