Recap: Mayor Wu testifies before Congress in sanctuary cities hearing

Mayor Wu fired back at Rep. Nicholas Langworthy's comments implying that she had more sympathy for criminals than for law enforcement trying to keep communities safe.

"Congressman check your facts, check your facts, watch the video. I did not express sympathy for that individual but for their family. And any individual whose life is lost is a tragedy," Wu said, interrupting Langworthy before he asked a question.

Langworthy, a Republican from New York, was referring to Wu expressing her condolences to the family of a man who was shot and killed by an off-duty officer at a Back Bay Chick-fil-A location. That man, according to Boston police, was attacking two other people with a knife.

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Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida said she will issue a formal request that the Department of Justice to open investigations into the mayors, claiming their existing city policies are "in direct violation of U.S. Title 8, U.S.C. § 1324," a federal offense.

"I do not think you guys are bad people but I think you are ideologically misled," she said.

Bier, Wu and Johnson, who she addressed during her questioning, all pushed back, maintaining that their cities followed appropriate local, state and federal laws.

Mayor Wu brought her newborn baby with her to the hearing in Washington D.C.

Wu gave birth to baby Mira back in January.

Mira Wu has been making a lot of public appearances alongside her mother in recent weeks, as Mayor Wu balances her busy schedule with motherhood.

South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace took a combative tone with the four mayors as witnesses, especially Mayor Wu.

She asked Wu if ICE arresting a child rapist would threaten public safety, and Wu responded "no."

Mace asked the same question, replacing child rapist with gang member. Wu again responded "no."

She then read a quote by Wu that said ICE actions are threatening public safety, and called Wu a "hypocrite."

Mayor Wu was once again asked about White House Border Czar Tom Homan's recent comments saying he was going to bring "hell" to Boston.

She told Representative Summer Lee that laws and the safety of the city's residents are the most important thing, and undermining trust in law enforcement would make the city less safe.

"We need people to feel safe in our communities, and those laws help our police solve crimes."

An Alabama representative said that if it were up to him, charges of obstruction of justice would be considered as he grilled Mayors Johnson, Johnston and Wu.

Rep. Palmer asked several times if they understood the supremacy clause of the constitution, while the mayors held that they were following all local and federal laws.

Palmer did not seem satisfied and said mayors of "sanctuary cities" were breaking their oaths of office

If Republicans in Congress want to help make our country safe, I have some ideas for them. pic.twitter.com/N4zu4we5Tw

— Mayor Michelle Wu 吳弭 (@MayorWu) March 5, 2025

A North Carolina lawmaker asked each of the mayors how much money their city has spent on services for undocumented immigrants.

Boston Mayor Wu said she can't provide a number because the city does not ask immigration status when providing services.

"Chair Comer, Ranking Member Connolly, and members of the Committee,

My name is Michelle Wu.

I am the daughter of immigrants, and since November of 2021, I have had the honor of serving as mayor of Boston.

I’m proud to be here on behalf of our city—the police officers, first responders, and city workers…the faith leaders, teachers, parents, and neighbors—who partner every day to make Boston the safest major city in the nation.

And I’m proud to work alongside the greatest Police Commissioner in the country: Michael Cox.

Rep. Jordan of Ohio is grilling the Denver mayor over a recent release of a man from a local jail.

Jordan said that the city only gave ICE an hour's notice ahead of releasing a man named Abraham Gonzalez, who is accused of being a Venezuelan gang member and committing crimes in the United States.

The representative said ICE had to arrest the person in the parking lot, and that the man allegedly attacked an officer and had to be tased. Jordan said that Denver should have allowed ICE to take custody of the man inside the jail, which he said would have been a more secure approach.

David Bier, the fifth witness, says that there is research stating that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than people in the native population.

Bier is an immigration research fellow for the Cato Institute.

Wu said that Border Czar Tom Homan was lying about Boston and she said that Boston is trying to bring peace and not "hell."

Chairman Comer is asking the mayors "yes or no" questions.

He is asking each of the mayors whether their city is a "sanctuary city." The only mayor to agree to that label explicitly was Mayor Adams.

Mayor Wu responded that Boston is a "safe city."

Comer is also seeking yes or no answers to hypotheticals and prior situations on whether the cities would turn over criminals who are undocumented to ICE.

Mayor Wu said she was proud to be testifying before Congress on behalf of Boston.

"Every year since I took office, we set a new record low for gun violence," Wu said. "Those are the facts."

Wu also mentioned investments in opportunities and crime prevention.

"In Boston, our police department resources and tax payer dollars go to preventing and solving crimes," Wu said.

The mayor said that the Trump Administration is causing fear and frustration among some community members.

Chicago Mayor Johnson began his opening remarks by highlighting the city's diverse roots.

He then listed some recent efforts by the city to bolster public safety.

The mayor echoed Adams' concerns about ensuring immigrants who are victims of crimes feel safe going to the police.

Denver Mayor Johnston is delivering his opening remarks.

He said when he became mayor, the city was receiving busloads of immigrants in need of help.

Johnston referenced a Bible verse while discussing how Denver stepped in to provide shelter to the immigrants. A year later, he says, shelters have closed and there are no remaining encampments.

He added that crime has been on the decline.

"When those buses kept on coming, Denver made a choice as a city, not to hate each other, but to help each other," he said.

Representative Ayanna Pressley introduced Mayor Michelle Wu ahead of the four mayors testifying.

Mayor Michelle Wu was sat alongside the other mayors. She is in a blue dress and had her ashes from Ash Wednesday on her forehead.

"She leads with compassion, she is innovative and inclusive," Pressley said.

Pressley touted Boston as the safest major city in America.

Representative Gerry Connolly, a Virginia Democrat, made remarks after Chairman Comer.

He defended local governments' ability to make decisions in the best interest of their communities.

"Let's be clear, the state and local law that Republicans have issue with are in full accordance with federal law," Connolly said.

Connolly added that local police need the ability to manage public safety in the best way for their city.

"Boston is my hometown and I'm glad to welcome Mayor Wu," Connolly said. "I don't know that Boston welcomes Mr. Homan bringing hell."

Chairman of the House Oversight Committee James Comer is delivering opening remarks as Wednesday's hearing.

He began the hearing by criticizing former President Biden for his handling of the southern border, and praising President Trump's new policies on immigration.

The Kentucky congressman criticized sanctuary cities, saying that they protect criminals, and force federal immigration agents to make arrests in the public, versus in a secure environment such as a jail.

"President Trump and his administration are taking action against sanctuary cities," Comer said.

Mayor Adams is one of the four mayors who is set to testify in Wednesday's hearing over sanctuary city policies.

He spoke with reporters on his way into the hearing, explaining his focus on public safety and ensuring every New Yorker has access to necessary services and care.

Adams recalled a time early in his career as a transit officer that a robbery victim was apprehensive to report the crime because he was an immigrant. He says at that time, immigrants were often targeted by criminals for this reason.

He reiterated, though, that he wants to work with federal agencies in catching dangerous gang members and violent criminals.

The mayor hopes to add to the overall conversation of immigration reform.