Adams, 'sanctuary city' mayors testify on handling of Trump's immigration plans
NEW YORK - New York City Mayor Eric Adams testified before Congress Wednesday on the city's response to President Donald Trump's immigration plan.
Democratic Mayors Michelle Wu of Boston, Brandon Johnson of Chicago, and Mike Johnston of Denver also appeared before the committee.
Wu took her newborn baby, Mira, to the hearing as well.
Rep. James Comer called sanctuary city policies a "public nightmare" that make U.S. cities more dangerous. He made the remarks during a congressional hearing with mayors from four major cities that the Trump administration claims are blocking its mass deportation efforts and shielding people in the U.S. illegally.
"These policies only protect criminals," said Comer, R-Ky., chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Democratic members turned out to show support for immigrants ahead of the hearing.
How to watch:
FOX 5 NY is streaming LIVE coverage of the address at 10 a.m. EST in the media player at the top of the article and on YouTube.
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) announced the investigation into sanctuary jurisdictions and the effectiveness of federal immigration enforcement amid Trump’s crackdown on cities like New York.
"Sanctuary jurisdictions and their misguided and obstructionist policies hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities, making Americans less safe," Chairman Comer wrote in the letter.
"It starts with standing firm in rejecting the misperception that a "sanctuary city" classification means our city will ever be a safe haven for violent criminals," Adams wrote Tuesday.
Adams vowed to work with federal officials "no matter who is president" to combat violent gangs and urged other elected leaders to do the same.
What is a sanctuary city?
There’s no strict definition for sanctuary policies or sanctuary cities, but the terms generally describe limited cooperation with ICE. The agency enforces U.S. immigration laws nationwide but often seeks state and local help to hold people who’ve been arrested or convicted of a crime until federal officers can take custody.
Is NYC a sanctuary city?
According to the city's Immigrant Affairs office, New York City is a "sanctuary city" with laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. However, these laws do not prevent deportations from occurring in the city.
READ MORE: NYC sanctuary city: Protections and questions under the Trump administration
Why is Adams testifying before Congress?
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 08: New York City Mayor Eric Adams packs up to leave after testifying during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on gun violence on June 8, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Andrew Harnik-Pool/Getty Images)
Who else is testifying?
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, David J. Bier, testified Wednesday.
Letters were sent to the mayors of Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City, as all four cities have been identified as sanctuary jurisdictions. The chairman says these are "sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse to fully cooperate with federal immigration enforcement."
Adams has confirmed to FOX 5 NY he will testify in Washington, D.C. on sanctuary cities.
It remains unclear what specific questions Adams will face during the hearing or whether he will show, but it comes amid a federal crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the city.
The other side:
DOJ sues New York over immigration policy
AG Bondi to pause DOJ funding for sanctuary cities
New Attorney General Pam Bondi has paused federal funding for sanctuary cities in the U.S., including New York City. FOX 5's Robert Moses has the story.
Last week, Attorny General Pam Bondi announced that the Department of Justice filed charges against the state of New York and Governor Kathy Hochul for allegedly failing to comply with federal law by shielding illegal immigrants.
Bondi cited New York's Green Light laws, also known as the Diver's License Act, which allows illegal immigrants to get a driver's license, as one of the reasons for the lawsuit.
The law also prevents certain federal agencies from accessing New York State's driver's license information.
"New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops — it stops today," Bondi said at a press conference.
New York Department of Motor Vehicles commissioner Mark Schroeder is also named in the lawsuit.
Bondi said the move should be a warning to other states that sanctuary city laws will not be tolerated under the Trump administration.