Mayors from four major U.S. cities testified before Congress on Wednesday, defending their sanctuary city policies that limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
During the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing, Republican lawmakers, led by Committee Chairman James Comer of Kentucky, criticized these policies, arguing they hinder federal immigration efforts and compromise public safety. Comer stated that federal funding should be withheld from sanctuary cities, calling their policies “reckless.”
The Democratic mayors—representing Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City—countered that these laws improve public safety by encouraging trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement. They also emphasized that the Tenth Amendment prevents the federal government from forcing local officials to enforce federal immigration laws.
New York Mayor Eric Adams faced unique scrutiny, as some lawmakers questioned whether he had made a deal with the Trump administration to avoid corruption charges. Adams denied any wrongdoing but has suggested modifying sanctuary policies to allow greater cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in cases involving serious criminal accusations.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu emphasized the human impact of immigration policies, warning that fear of deportation prevents migrants—including legal residents and U.S. citizens—from accessing essential services or reporting crimes. “A land ruled by fear is not the land of the free,” Wu told lawmakers.
Sanctuary cities generally refuse to honor immigration detainer requests unless accompanied by a judge’s warrant and a violent felony conviction. Federal immigration officers can still make arrests in these cities, but mayors argue that sanctuary policies prevent unconstitutional detentions and foster safer communities.
The debate over sanctuary cities remains a flashpoint in the ongoing national conversation about immigration policy, federal authority, and local governance.