House GOP launches investigation into sanctuary city policies of Boston, Chicago, Denver and New York City

01/30/2025 / By Laura Harris

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has launched an investigation into the sanctuary city policies of Boston, Chicago, Denver and New York City.
Committee Chairman James Comer sent letters to the mayors of these cities, requesting internal communications and documentation related to their sanctuary policies by Feb. 10, with a hearing scheduled for Feb. 11.
The investigation aims to examine the effects of sanctuary policies on public safety and federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Democratic mayors of the sanctuary cities are considering their responses, with some indicating a willingness to work with federal authorities on specific cases while maintaining their commitment to public safety.
Some mayors have expressed concerns about the political climate and the potential impact of the investigation on their cities, including the threat of federal funds being pulled away and the creation of fear in communities.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has officially launched an investigation into the sanctuary policies of Boston, Chicago, Denver and New York City.

The investigation, announced by Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY), is set to examine the policies’ effects and gather relevant documents and communications from city officials. (Related: Trump administration prepares crackdown on illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities.)

Comer delivered letters to Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago, Mayor Michelle Wu of Boston, Mayor Mike Johnston of Denver and Mayor Eric Adams of New York City, requesting they submit internal communications and documentation regarding their sanctuary policies by Feb. 10. Additionally, the committee has scheduled a hearing for Feb. 11, where the mayors are expected to testify.

“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,” Comer wrote in the letter on Jan. 27.

“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.”

The investigation is part of a wider Trump administration effort to target sanctuary jurisdictions. Under the leadership of border czar, Tom Homan, the administration has established the Sanctuary Cities Enforcement Working Group within the Department of Justice.

This initiative aims to challenge state and local laws that conflict with federal immigration efforts and to hold accountable those who provide shelter to undocumented immigrants.

Mayors of four sanctuary cities pondering their next moves

The letter from Comer has left Democratic mayors in these cities pondering their next moves.

For instance, Adams has indicated a willingness to work with federal authorities on specific cases, while maintaining the city’s commitment to public safety. Adams stated that the city “will not hesitate to partner with federal authorities to bring violent criminals to justice – just as we have done for years.”

However, Johnson, who has long been critical of federal immigration policies, especially those targeting sanctuary cities, accused the president of using immigration policies to “stoke fear” in the city.

Meanwhile, Wu said she is still reviewing the letter, emphasizing the commitment of Boston to following the law while expressing frustration with the current political climate.

“We’re all experiencing a lot of the same sense of chaos and destabilization right now, whether it is the threat of federal funds that are legally obligated being pulled away or the sense of fear that’s being created in the communities,” she said. “At the local level, we’re focused on getting our job done every day. Our job is the one that people rely on to get their kids to school, to get around the city.”

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