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2mo ago

Debate Over Sanctuary City Policies Intensifies After Congressional Hearing

Former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson defend sanctuary city policies as federal lawmakers scrutinize their impact on immigration and public safety.

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From left: Denver Mayor Michael Johnston, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and David J. Bier, Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute, are sworn in during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on sanctuary cities' policies at the U.S. Capitol on March 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
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Overview

  • Former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio criticized Democrats for their delayed response to border issues, urging a tougher stance on immigration to appeal to voters.
  • De Blasio defended sanctuary city policies, highlighting their origins in New York City and arguing they are essential for public safety in communities with large undocumented populations.
  • Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson faced sharp questioning during a congressional hearing, where critics claimed sanctuary city policies undermine safety, a claim refuted by multiple studies showing immigrants commit fewer crimes on average than U.S.-born citizens.
  • Johnson confirmed Chicago’s cooperation with federal agents when criminal warrants are presented but maintained the city does not inquire about immigration status to ensure access to services.
  • The financial burden of sheltering migrants was highlighted, with Chicago spending over $638 million since 2022, while concerns over ICE detentions and deportations of non-criminal immigrants remain contentious.