Republican Representative Clay Higgins issued a stark warning to sanctuary city mayors during a heated House Oversight Committee hearing, suggesting they might face jail time for defying federal immigration laws.
Key Takeaways
- Democratic mayors from New York, Denver, Chicago, and Boston defended their sanctuary city policies before the House Oversight Committee.
- Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana warned city leaders they would be “held accountable” for their policies, suggesting potential legal consequences.
- Republican lawmakers criticized the mayors for allegedly defying federal immigration laws, with Rep. Nancy Mace stating, “You all have blood on your hands.”
- The mayors argued their policies enhance public safety by building trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna announced plans to send criminal referrals to the Justice Department to investigate the mayors.
Higgins Delivers Stern Warning to Sanctuary City Leaders
During Wednesday’s contentious House Oversight Committee hearing, Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana delivered a blistering rebuke to the mayors of four major sanctuary cities. The Republican congressman warned the Democratic mayors from New York, Chicago, Denver, and Boston that they would face consequences for their immigration policies. Higgins, a former law enforcement officer, suggested that their defiance of federal immigration laws could eventually result in criminal charges.
The hearing, which featured testimony from New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, became particularly heated when Higgins implied that those willing to defend their sanctuary policies might soon “be given the opportunity” to go to jail. His remarks underscored the deep divide between Republican and Democratic approaches to immigration enforcement at the local level.
Mayors Defend Policies as Public Safety Measures
Throughout the hearing, the four Democratic mayors defended their sanctuary policies as essential components of public safety strategy rather than attempts to undermine federal law. They argued that these policies encourage undocumented immigrants to report crimes without fear of deportation, creating safer communities for all residents. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized that building trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement is crucial for effective policing.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston shared his city’s experience handling a significant influx of migrants, noting that crime actually decreased during this period. The mayors consistently maintained that their policies do not shield immigrants from law enforcement but rather focus on providing necessary services and maintaining public safety for all residents, regardless of immigration status. This stance drew sharp criticism from Republican committee members.
Republican Opposition and Potential Legal Action
The Republican response to sanctuary policies was uniformly critical during the hearing. Representative Nancy Mace directly accused the mayors of having “blood on your hands,” suggesting their policies led to preventable crimes. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene intensely questioned Mayor Adams about specific crimes allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants in his city. The confrontation reached a critical point when Representative Anna Paulina Luna announced her intention to send criminal referrals to the Justice Department to investigate the mayors.
🚨BREAKING: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna drops BOMB on sanctuary city mayors announcing she will be referring them to the DOJ for prosecution:
pic.twitter.com/cy3BRC9KKy— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 5, 2025
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced a different perspective, raising concerns about the Justice Department’s handling of charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, suggesting potential political motivations behind the investigation.
Broader Implications for Immigration Policy
The hearing represented more than just a confrontation between Republican lawmakers and Democratic mayors; it showcased the fundamental tension between federal immigration enforcement and local governance. At its core, the debate centers on whether local jurisdictions have the right or obligation to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, and how such decisions impact public safety, community trust, and the rule of law. As Higgins and other Republicans push for stronger enforcement, sanctuary city leaders continue to defend their approaches as pragmatic solutions to complex problems. This fundamental difference in approach seems unlikely to resolve soon, suggesting continued political and potentially legal confrontations over sanctuary policies in the months ahead.
