Boston Mayor Michelle Wu took center stage at the congressional hearing on March 5, 2025, defending her city’s immigration policies against sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers concerned about sanctuary cities. Wu, who brought her seven-week-old daughter to the hearing, responded to interrogation from Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and others questioning her commitment to public safety amid claims of increasing crime due to these policies.
The hearing, which also featured the mayors of Chicago, Denver, and New York City, was held by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led by Republican Chairman James Comer. The committee launched this probe to investigate what they termed the dangers posed by sanctuary jurisdictions and to determine the impact these policies have on local and national law enforcement.
During her opening statement, Wu emphasized Boston's effectiveness as the safest major city in the country, stating, "We are the city where people come to do good in the world at a time when this administration seems dead set on the opposite." She defended the Trust Act, which restricts how much the city’s police can cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This law is meant to protect immigrant residents who may fear local law enforcement.
“When itcomes to criminal matters, Boston police partner every day with state and federal law enforcement,” she continued, pushing back against claims of rising crime linked to the presence of undocumented immigrants.
Republicans pointed to specific incidents, such as allegations against immigrants. Gosar pressed Wu on whether she would cooperate with ICE if one of these alleged criminals was discovered living within the city's jurisdiction. Wu responded firmly, stating, “Whenever there’s a criminal warrant, Boston police enforce it and hold people accountable.” Following this, she reiterated the need for comprehensive immigration reform to effectively reconcile local and national laws.
The rhetoric escalated when former president Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, described how he intended to “bring hell” to Boston over the city's noncompliance with federal immigration laws. Wu didn’t hold back, calling Homan's attack "clueless" and condemned the fear-mongering tactics about immigrants perpetuated by this administration. “Shame on him for lying about my city,” Wu stated, indicating her resolve to stand firm against such narratives.
Outside the hearing, the situation was equally charged; hundreds of demonstrators rallied, some advocating for stricter immigration enforcement, and others vocally supporting Wu's stances. Signs reading “We’ve Got Your Back” were common among those supporting immigrants, reflecting the community's support for Wu's policies.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also delivered harsh critiques of Wu prior to the hearing, labeling her actions "an insult to law enforcement across America." Bondi tweeted her condolences to Boston residents, arguing Wu’s policies put public safety at risk. Critics within the hearing echoed her sentiments, encouraging the narrative of sanctuary cities encouraging lawlessness.
Wu countered this notion, pointing out the significant contributions immigrants make to the Boston community, citing the statistic of one-in-four residents being born outside the U.S. She firmly rejected claims alleging guilt by association, referring to the “false narrative” spun by opponents of sanctuary city policies. “If you want to make us safe, pass gun reform; stop cutting Medicaid and research funds,” she urged, reiteratively linking public health and safety to comprehensive support systems for all residents.
The hearing lasted nearly six hours, during which Wu faced considerable hostility from committee members but stood her ground at every juncture. Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley lauded Wu’s performance, remarking after the hearing, “I knew she would come prepared, I knew she would be unflappable.”
Although Wu’s testimony involved discussing policies and the fiscal strains on city services premium law enforcement incurs, she stressed the integrated nature of Boston’s immigrant community, which she argues does not compromise overall public safety. “We don’t distinguish between immigration status as part of our city’s policies,” she reminded the committee when pressed about costs associated with services for undocumented individuals. This statement highlighted Boston's commitment to inclusivity.
While representatives like Rep. Gosar posed challenges about law enforcement accountability tied to immigration enforcement, Wu turned the conversation back to legislative recommendations she felt could help bridge the gap between local law and federal immigration mandates. She proposed, “Please pass comprehensive immigration law, consistent and compassionate.”
Both the national political atmosphere and Wu's performative commitment to her constituents will have lasting effects on local and state legislation moving forward. With the potential for reduced federal funding looming large, the sanctity of Boston’s Trust Act faces mounting pressure as the political climate shifts before upcoming elections.
Through resilience, Wu's testimony may serve not only as a defensive strategy but also as rallying cry for advocates of immigration reform, exemplifying the strength of immigrant communities and their worth to society. “Whatever happens at the federal level, it will impact families on the ground,” she concluded, encapsulating the very real consequences many Bostonians face with the current immigration policies.
With the mayor’s symbolic and proactive approach to the hearing, Boston underscored its stance as not just being ‘a sanctuary city’ but rather, as Wu remarked, “a city where people can truly feel at home.”