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WASHINGTON, D.C. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu appeared before a House Oversight Committee in Washington D.C. for a congressional hearing on so-called sanctuary city policies Wednesday.
Sanctuary cities are municipalities with policies that limit or prevent them from turning over undocumented immigrants to federal authorities for possible deportation.
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Wu and the mayors of Chicago, New York City, and Denver were called to testify by Kentucky Republican and Committee Chairman James Comer, who launched a probe earlier this year on whether sanctuary city policies undermine federal immigration enforcement.
In her opening statement, Wu called Boston "the safest major city in the country," in part because "all of our residents trust that they can call 911 in the event of an emergency or to report a crime."
"This federal administration’s approach is undermining that trust," Wu said. "In the past month, I’ve met with residents and faith leaders in community centers and places of worship, asking my constituents what they want Congress to know. And what I heard over and over again was fear and frustration.
"I spoke with pastors whose pews are half-empty on Sundays. Doctors whose patients are missing appointments. Teachers whose students aren't coming to class. Neighbors afraid to report crimes in their communities, and victims of violence who won’t call the police. This federal administration is making hard-working, tax-paying, God-fearing people afraid to live their lives. A city that’s scared is not a city that’s safe. A land ruled by fear is not the land of the free."
Wu concluded her opening statement, saying, "Today, one in four Boston residents were born somewhere else. Most have jobs; many have kids. All of them chose this country as home, because—like my mom and dad—they believed that, here, where you’ve been doesn’t limit where you’re going; the strength of your character has nothing to do with the color of your passport; and that how hard you work matters more than where you were born. That—wherever you’re from—if you pitch in, look out for your neighbors, and cheer for the home team, you can build a better future here for the people you love.
"So to every one of my neighbors back in Boston, know this: You belong here; this is your home. Boston es tu hogar. Boston se lakay ou. 這是你的家. This is our city. We are the safest major city in the nation because we are safe for everyone."
When Comer asked if Boston is a sanctuary city, Wu responded, "Boston is a safe city."
Comer also grilled Wu about a case where a man staying in a migrant shelter in Marlborough last year was charged with raping and impregnating his teenage daughter.
"Mayor Wu, under Boston law, would you turn this criminal over to ICE on a detainer?" Comer asked.
"Whenever there's a criminal warrant, Boston police enforce that and hold people accountable," Wu replied.
"So would you turn that criminal over to ICE?" Comer asked again.
"This happened outside of the city of Boston," Wu said, "but I can tell you in the city, whenever someone commits a crime, whenever there's a criminal warrant, we hold them accountable. If ICE deems they are dangerous enough to hold, obtain a criminal warrant, and Boston police will enforce it."
Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly asked Wu about White House "border czar" Tom Homan's remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last month, in which Homan criticized Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox for refusing to help ICE and said he would "bring Hell" to Boston.
"Shame on him for lying about my city, for having the nerve to insult our police commissioner who has overseen the safest Boston's been in anyone's lifetime," Wu said. "Bring him here under oath and let's ask him some questions. I am here to make sure that the city of Boston is safe. Others may want to bring hell. We are here to bring peace to cities everywhere."
When asked again about Homan's comments later in the hearing, Wu said, "The laws are most important and the safety of our residents are most important. And what I hear from all our of residents across every one of our neighborhoods is that in fact, undermining the trust is what would make our city less safe. And so we need everyone to feel secure in their communities, like they can reach out, they can call 911 when they need help, and in our city, those laws actually help Boston police solve crimes.
Massachusetts Rep. Stephen Lynch asked the mayors how they can balance the safety concerns for their cities with federal immigration policy.
Wu responded, "Respectfully, Congressman, you could pass bipartisan legislation and that would be comprehensive immigration law. The false narrative is that immigrants in general are criminals or immigrants in general cause all sorts of danger and harm. That is actually what is undermining safety in our communities.
"If you wanted to make us safe, pass gun reforms. Stop cutting Medicaid. Stop cutting cancer research. Stop cutting funds for veterans. That is what will make our city safe."
While Wu faced questioning in Washington D.C., more than 100 protestors gathered on City Hall Plaza in Boston in support of the city's policies regarding immigrants.
Josh Kraft, a Democrat who earlier this year announced his campaign to run for mayor of Boston, was among the protestors supporting Wu.
"What's happening in D.C. is a Republican circus," Kraft said.
Counter protestors also gathered on City Hall Plaza. They called for changes to Boston's immigration policies, including more cooperation between local and federal law enforcement.
WBZ NewsRadio's Madison Rogers (@madisonwbz) reports.