Home Politics Four Democrat Mayors Called Before Congress to Face Grilling Over ‘Sanctuary Cities’

Four Democrat Mayors Called Before Congress to Face Grilling Over ‘Sanctuary Cities’

The Democratic mayors of four major liberal cities are being called to Congress to testify for running their “sanctuary cities” policies.

The House Oversight Committee recently sent out letters to the four mayors.

“The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating sanctuary jurisdictions across the United States and their impact on public safety and the effectiveness of federal efforts to enforce the immigration laws of the United States. Sanctuary jurisdictions and their misguided and obstructionist policies hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities, making Americans less safe,” wrote Chairman Comer.

Comer stated that “Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City are sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.”

He added that such sanctuary jurisdictions are “states, counties or cities that put some limits on how much they are willing to cooperate with federal agencies’ efforts to deport” illegal aliens.

“These jurisdictions take it upon themselves to decide what laws they will and will not abide by all for the purpose of shielding removable aliens, especially criminals, from federal law enforcement,” he continued, noting, “There are about 12 states and hundreds of cities and counties with sanctuary laws or policies across the country.”

“On the first day of his second term, President Donald Trump took decisive actions to restore the rule of law with respect to immigration enforcement,” Chairman Comer explained. “In addition to the efforts of the Trump Administration to ensure federal immigration enforcement can proceed unimpeded, Congress must determine whether further legislation is necessary to enhance border security and public safety. It is imperative that federal immigration law is enforced and that criminal aliens are swiftly removed from our communities.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was one of the mayors to be called to testify before Congress, as noted by Fox 32.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson remains firm in his support for the city’s sanctuary status, despite mounting pressure from the White House and national polls indicating that most Americans favor stricter immigration enforcement. His stance has frustrated some moderate members of the Chicago City Council, who have voiced concerns over the policy’s impact on city resources and public sentiment.

The debate over Chicago’s sanctuary law has intensified as the city continues to grapple with an influx of migrants, straining shelters and social services. While Johnson has defended the policy as a commitment to protecting immigrant rights, critics argue that it places an undue burden on local taxpayers and law enforcement.

The internal divisions within Chicago’s leadership reflect broader national tensions over immigration policy, with some council members pushing for reconsideration of the sanctuary law. However, Johnson has shown no signs of backing down, maintaining that Chicago will remain a welcoming city for all, regardless of federal pressure.

“The liberals control everything,” Chicago Alderman Nicholas Sposato said. “So if they want to remain a sanctuary city and protect criminals over law-abiding citizens in our community then I guess that’s the way it’s going to be.”

Alderman Nicholas Sposato was one of just 11 Chicago aldermen who voted in January to amend the city’s Welcoming City Ordinance (WCO), which prohibits local authorities from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The proposed amendment sought to allow cooperation in cases where an illegal migrant was wanted for serious criminal offenses.

However, the measure was overwhelmingly rejected by the City Council’s left-wing majority in a 39-11 vote. Alderman Raymond Lopez, who introduced the amendment alongside another Democrat, condemned the decision, arguing that the current policy protects dangerous criminals.

“It shouldn’t take an act of Congress or City Council, for that matter, to say we’re not going to protect child sexual predators and human traffickers,” Lopez remarked. “But yet, that’s exactly what the City Council did when it rejected the amendment that would allow our police officers to work with federal partners when someone is arrested or convicted of four very specific violent and dangerous crimes.”

The amendment specifically targeted illegal migrants arrested or convicted of:

  • Sexual crimes against minors
  • Gang-related activities
  • Drug-related offenses
  • Prostitution-related crimes

Lopez criticized the city’s stance, saying some of his colleagues dismissed ICE cooperation altogether. “My colleagues have said, ‘If ICE wants them, ICE can go get them in the neighborhoods themselves. We’re not going to help,’” he said. “Well, who does that really help?”

Rep. Delia Ramirez recently addressed a Chicago crowed and vowed resistance to Trump’s deportation policies.

“We have shown them that we are courageous,” Ramirez said. “We have shown them that we are organized. And we have shown them that they will not break us.”

Chicago is about to be tested on its sanctuary city status, along with New York City, Boston, Denver, and other major liberal cities.

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