Photo: Alamy
Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna announced on Wednesday that she was sending criminal referrals to the Department of Justice for several mayors of so-called “sanctuary cities.”
Less than 24 hours after President Trump’s historic address to Congress, where he discussed the impact of unfettered illegal migration and his plan to reverse the harm brought by the Biden administration, the Republican-led House Oversight Committee held a hearing with mayors of so-called “sanctuary cities” to discuss their roles in the four-year crisis.
Republican lawmakers questioned Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson about their policies regarding cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and taxpayer dollars spent on supporting illegal migrants.
Rep. Luna used her time to ask each mayor about specific policies implemented in their cities to protect illegal migrants from being detained and deported by ICE.
She asked Mayor Wu if the Boston Trust Act restricted communication with federal immigration authorities regarding the immigration status of individuals. Wu told Luna that the city’s law enforcement did not collect immigration status.
Luna cited a federal law that says local governments cannot prohibit or restrict communication with federal immigration authorities regarding the immigration status of individuals residing in the city. She made clear that the Act was in direct violation of the federal statute.
She asked the same of Mayor Johnston, referencing his earlier testimony where he discussed providing immediate housing to newly arrived illegal migrants, and whether he understood the definition of “harboring.”
She again recited federal law that prohibits the harboring of illegal migrants.
Luna turned to Chicago Mayor Johnson and asked if he thought the city’s Welcoming City Ordinance encouraged illegal migration to come to the Windy City, which he denied. He said the city complies with “all federal, state, and local laws.”
Luna collectively told the mayors that it was clear that their city policies directly violated federal law.
“You all speak about a broken immigration system and yet here you guys are aiding and abetting in that entire process,” Luna remarked.
Luna told the mayors, “I do not think you guys are bad people but I think 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.”
While a criminal referral does not require the DOJ to investigate, President Trump has made clear that he would be removing criminal illegal aliens expeditiously. Many reside in so-called sanctuary cities to avoid detection, detention and deportation.