The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is set to grill four U.S. mayors on their cities’ immigration policies this Wednesday. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams have been summoned to discuss their cities’ sanctuary policies for migrants.
Johnson and Wu have stood by their decisions to limit cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while Adams has shown a willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration amidst facing corruption charges that were dropped last month. In a recent statement, Johnson criticized federal lawmakers for their lack of action during the migrant crisis.
When asked about seeking advice before the committee hearing, Johnson mentioned turning to his faith in Jesus and seeking guidance from former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis.
Meanwhile, Chicago Republicans are urging officials from the Trump administration to visit the city and investigate alleged wasteful spending. ChicagoRED Executive Director Osiris King called for officials like border czar Tom Homan, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to scrutinize the city’s financial practices.
The Illinois Republican Party labeled Johnson as the “most unpopular man in America” and posed questions regarding his stance on deporting criminals and potential loss of federal funding for not cooperating with the government.
As the hearing approaches, tensions are high in Chicago as the city’s immigration policies come under scrutiny. The outcome of the committee meeting could have significant implications for how cities across the country handle immigration enforcement in the future. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.