Sanctuary City Mayors to Testify Before Congress on Immigration Policies

Democratic mayors from Chicago, New York City, Boston, and Denver face scrutiny over their handling of migrant influx and cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with his counterparts from New York City, Boston, and Denver, will defend their sanctuary city policies in a Republican-led Congressional hearing today.
The hearing, chaired by Rep. James Comer, seeks to examine the impact of sanctuary policies on public safety and federal immigration enforcement, with Comer advocating for the withdrawal of federal funding from non-compliant cities.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former police officer, has taken a more moderate stance, signaling willingness to cooperate with federal immigration authorities on criminal cases, unlike some of his peers.
Critics argue that sanctuary policies in cities like Chicago and Boston have strained resources, increased crime concerns, and burdened taxpayers, with Chicago alone receiving over 50,000 migrants since 2022.
The mayors aim to highlight their cities' efforts to address migrant crises while defending their policies as aligned with their values and commitments to immigrant communities.