Mayors from four “sanctuary cities” faced questions from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform over city policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigrant authorities in their efforts to stem the tide of illegal immigration into the U.S.
Representative Anna Paulina Luna, from Florida, asked each a question about federal immigration laws. Then Luna announced she was referring Brandon Johnson of Chicago, Michelle Wu of Boston, Mike Johnston of Denver and Eric Adams of New York to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation and possible prosecution for breaking those laws.
Luna summed up her questions and the mayors’ responses, saying:
It’s very clear that these policies, that you have all implicated are active and alive and well in your cities, are in direct violation with U.S. Title 8 code, subsection 1324, and a federal offense. …
I want to be very clear about something: Open border policies, which is something you guys are talking about, hurt people on both sides, meaning the people that are coming here illegally, and then American citizens as well. …
She then told the mayors, “I think you are ideologically misled. Which is why, unfortunately, based on your responses, I’m going to be criminally referring you to the Department of Justice for investigation.”
The mayors denied that they were breaking federal laws.
During the lengthy hearing, representatives offered different views on illegal immigration, highlighting issues such as crimes committed by illegal aliens, the fears of children of immigrants who believe their parents could be deported, the cost of supporting illegal aliens, and the economic costs or benefits to cities.
Ranking Member Gerry Connolly, from Virginia, stated, “Every member here today … agrees that violent criminals don’t belong in our communities.”
He added the federal government must affirm “state and local sovereignty in determining the most effective ways to keep residents safe, in compliance with federal laws.”
Connolly added that the “crusade against local independence doesn’t just undermine public safety in our community, it is blatantly cruel, and I say inhumane and un-American.”
James Comer, Kentucky, chairman of the Oversight Committee, listed horrific examples of crimes committed by illegal aliens, “Last summer, an illegal alien forcibly raped a 14-year-old girl. He hid in Denver until local law enforcement were able to apprehend him months later… On December 22, 2024, a group of illegal aliens attempted to rob and beat a 69-year-old homeless man in New York City”.
Each mayor confirmed that law enforcement officials in their cities do not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to have these criminals deported.
Representative Ayanna Pressley, from a congressional district that includes northern Boston, had a different view on the issue. She first scolded her colleagues, saying,
“It’s clear my colleagues across the aisle didn’t do their homework because the fears and division they’re trying to project onto Boston are really the stuff of Fox News fever dreams. Our city is vibrant, our city is diverse, our city is beautiful.”
She went on to highlight the importance of immigration for “the economic success of Boston” throughout the years. She called current immigration policies “a dark threat looming over this great city,” deeming enforcement of federal immigration laws “racist and xenophobic.”
Pressley submitted into the record a Boston Globe article, “They’re Going to Deport Us.” She said she’d spoken with principals and educators, “and their stories are heartbreaking.”
She continued, “Elementary schoolchildren are crying in their teacher’s arms, fearful that they’re going to lose their parents to cruel and unjust deportation raids.”
Virginia Representative John McGuire highlighted the cost to taxpayers of supporting illegal aliens, stating, “It is estimated that the total added cost of illegal aliens nationwide is $150 billion per year.”
He then listed the amount each of the four cities spends annually on illegal immigrants, “Chicago has spent over $639 million, Denver spent over $365 million, Boston is spending, potentially, about $1 billion annually, and New York City estimates it could potentially spend $12 billion on illegal aliens from 2022 through fiscal year 2025.”
McGuire also stated, “We are a nation of laws. We lose credibility as a nation when we disregard or ignore the law.”
The United States has had an unsecured, unserious, and porous Southern Border for decades. And despite politicians promising to fix it for years, the border remains open.
The problem is exacerbated when state and local governments flout our nation’s laws, refusing to cooperate with federal agencies.
More than 600 cities and 11 states have ordinances, laws and executive orders that prohibit city or state employees, including those in law enforcement, from sharing information about a person’s immigration or citizenship status with anyone, including federal officers.
It’s past time our elected officials get serious about real border security.
Related Articles and Resources:
American Immigration System Loses Contact with Tens of Thousands of Migrant Children
Burgeoning Border Crisis Spirals Out of Control, Officials Fear ‘Mass Migration Event’
Fentanyl Overdoses Rise, Connection to Illegal Immigration
It’s Compassionate to Oppose Illegal Immigration. Here’s Why.
Laken Riley Murdered After Killer Took Taxpayer-Funded Flight
U.S. Border Patrol Encounters 239,416 Illegal Immigrants in May, Highest in U.S. History
Violent Gang Takes Advantage of American Immigration Policy
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