Louisiana Representative Clay Higgins issued stern warnings to four sanctuary city mayors during a contentious House Oversight Committee hearing, telling them they would face legal consequences for their immigration policies and suggesting they might even go to jail.
Top Takeaways
- Democratic mayors from New York, Denver, Chicago, and Boston defended their sanctuary city policies before the House Oversight Committee.
- Rep. Clay Higgins warned the mayors they would be “held accountable” for their policies, suggesting they might face jail time.
- Mayors argued their policies improve public safety by encouraging undocumented immigrants to report crimes without fear of deportation.
- Republicans criticized the mayors for allegedly defying federal immigration laws and releasing dangerous criminals.
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna announced she would send criminal referrals to the Justice Department to investigate the mayors.
Higgins Confronts Sanctuary City Mayors
During a highly charged House Oversight Committee hearing, Republican Representative Clay Higgins of Louisiana delivered a blistering admonishment to mayors from four of America’s largest sanctuary cities. Higgins directly confronted the Democratic mayors of New York, Denver, Chicago, and Boston, who were called to testify about their policies regarding cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The Louisiana congressman’s remarks escalated the already tense atmosphere as he suggested these city leaders could face serious legal repercussions for their stances on immigration enforcement.
Higgins didn’t mince words in his warning, stating that mayors defending sanctuary policies “might be given the opportunity” to go to jail. This dramatic declaration underscored the deep political divide over immigration enforcement and the role of local governments in federal immigration matters. The hearing itself was called by Republican lawmakers who have consistently criticized sanctuary jurisdictions for limiting cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and allegedly releasing dangerous criminals into American communities.
Mayors Defend Public Safety Approach
The four mayors—Eric Adams of New York, Mike Johnston of Denver, Brandon Johnson of Chicago, and Michelle Wu of Boston—vigorously defended their policies as essential components of effective community policing. They argued that fostering trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement is crucial for public safety. According to their testimony, when undocumented immigrants fear that any interaction with police could lead to deportation, they become less likely to report crimes or serve as witnesses, ultimately making entire communities less safe.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu emphasized that their policies do not shield immigrants from law enforcement but focus on providing necessary services while maintaining public safety. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston reported that his city had handled a significant influx of migrants while actually seeing a decrease in crime during the same period. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson similarly stressed the importance of building community trust rather than functioning as extensions of federal immigration enforcement.
Republicans Escalate Criticism
The hearing featured several heated exchanges between Republican committee members and the testifying mayors. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene questioned New York Mayor Eric Adams about a specific crime involving an undocumented immigrant, while Representative Dave Min directly asked Adams why he hasn’t resigned amid his legal troubles. The tenor of Republican questioning consistently painted sanctuary policies as deliberate defiance of federal law that endangers American citizens.
In perhaps the most significant escalation, Representative Anna Paulina Luna announced she would submit criminal referrals to the Justice Department specifically targeting these mayors for investigation. This move, combined with Higgins’ warnings about potential jail time, signals an intensifying Republican approach to sanctuary jurisdictions that goes beyond mere political criticism to seeking actual legal consequences for local officials who limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
🚨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
Democrats Push Back
Democratic representatives on the committee offered a counternarrative, with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez raising concerns about the Justice Department’s handling of charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. She suggested the timing of the legal action against Adams appeared politically motivated, coming just as he was scheduled to testify before the committee on immigration matters. The contentious hearing highlighted the wider national debate on immigration policy and the appropriate balance between federal enforcement and local governance.
In the aftermath of the 2024 election, the confrontation between federal lawmakers and sanctuary city mayors represents a microcosm of the larger political battle over immigration policy in America. Higgins’ warnings of legal accountability signal that Republicans may pursue more aggressive measures against sanctuary jurisdictions should they gain greater political power in upcoming elections.
