The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY), has invited the mayors of Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City to testify regarding their sanctuary city policies. The mayors—Michelle Wu of Boston, Brandon Johnson of Chicago, Mike Johnston of Denver, and Eric Adams of New York City—are scheduled to appear before the committee on February 11.
In letters addressed to each mayor, Rep. Comer expressed concerns that sanctuary policies hinder federal law enforcement’s ability to apprehend and remove dangerous criminals, thereby compromising public safety. He criticized these jurisdictions for selectively adhering to laws, particularly in ways that protect removable aliens with criminal backgrounds.
The committee has requested documents and information pertaining to each city’s sanctuary policies. According to Rep. Comer, while numerous states and cities have sanctuary designations, Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City notably fail to comply with federal law.
This action aligns with the committee’s broader investigation into how sanctuary city policies affect public safety and federal immigration enforcement. The outcome of this inquiry could influence future federal and local government interactions concerning immigration enforcement.