Democratic Mayors Say Trump Is Wrong About Their Sanctuary Policies

The mayors of New York, Chicago, Boston and Denver said their immigration policies don’t protect criminals — they keep residents safe.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu testify before Congress.

Francis Chung/POLITICO/AP

Republicans grilled mayors on Wednesday over their sanctuary city policies. And even New York’s Eric Adams, who has taken some steps to appease President Donald Trump on immigration, held firm.

“To be clear, the sanctuary city classification does not mean a city will ever be a safe haven for violent criminals,” he said at a hearing of the House Oversight Committee. “I cannot have a city where parents are afraid to send their children to school.”

Adams joined Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston at a hearing about policies that limit how local police or local resources can facilitate deportations and turn immigrants over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. As Republicans on the committee railed about crime, the Democratic mayors hit back — accusing the Trump administration of lying to the public about and detracting from their efforts to keep their cities safe.