Tensions reached a boiling point on Capitol Hill Wednesday as House Republicans clashed with Democratic mayors over their sanctuary city policies, accusing them of undermining federal immigration enforcement and violating federal law. The most dramatic moment came when Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) announced that she would be referring all four mayors present for criminal investigation, arguing that their policies directly violate U.S. immigration statutes.
The hearing, which brought the mayors of New York City, Denver, Boston, and Chicago before Congress, quickly turned into a battleground over immigration policy. The mayors defended their cities’ sanctuary policies—laws that limit cooperation with federal authorities in detaining and deporting illegal immigrants—as legally sound and necessary for public safety. House Republicans, however, were not convinced.
During the heated exchange, Luna grilled Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson over his city’s refusal to transfer individuals into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for civil immigration enforcement.
“So you don’t believe that banning the transfer of individuals into ICE custody for the purpose of civil immigration enforcement encourages illegal immigration into Chicago?” Luna pressed.
Johnson insisted that his city was in full compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
But Luna wasn’t buying it. She cited U.S. Code Title 8, Section 1324, which makes it a federal crime to knowingly harbor or shield illegal immigrants from detection. She then directly accused the mayors of violating this statute through their sanctuary city policies.
“To me, after this line of questioning, it’s very clear that these policies, which you all have implemented, are active and alive in your cities, and they are in direct violation of federal law,” Luna declared.
“You all speak about a broken immigration system, and yet here you guys are aiding and abetting in that entire process.”
Then came the bombshell: Luna announced mid-hearing that she would be referring all four mayors to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation. She added that she would be forwarding the case to Attorney General Pam Bondi for immediate review.
“I do not think you guys are bad people, but I think that you are ideologically misled, which is why, unfortunately, based on your responses, I’m going to be criminally referring you to the Department of Justice for investigation.”
Luna also warned that sanctuary city policies do more harm than good, arguing that they exacerbate the crisis at the southern border while putting American citizens at risk.
“If you guys continue doing what you’re doing, you’re not going to help anyone. You’re going to hurt more people, and that’s exactly why I’m tired of it—the American people are tired of it.”
The mayors vehemently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that their policies enhance public safety by encouraging trust between local law enforcement and immigrant communities. They dismissed Luna’s accusations as politically motivated attacks designed to score points in an election year.
