Did Mayor Wu represent Boston well at the congressional hearing?

Local News

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu defended the city’s “sanctuary” policies, which limit cooperation between ICE and local police.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu testified in front of House lawmakers in Washington Wednesday, facing scorn from Republicans who say Boston’s immigration enforcement policies are misguided and possibly illegal. 

The hearing, before the GOP-led House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, focused on the so-called sanctuary policies in Boston, New York City, Chicago, and Denver. The Democratic mayors of those three additional cities appeared alongside Wu. (Her newborn daughter Mira also made an appearance.) 

Wu, with an ash cross on her forehead for Ash Wednesday, fielded questions about border czar Tom Homan and Boston’s budget. She introduced herself as the daughter of immigrants and touted the city’s safety record.

When asked about Homan, she said: “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.”

When answering a question from Rep. Paul Gosar, of Arizona, Wu turned the blame back to Congress, saying, “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,” Wu continued. “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 cities safe.”

During the six-hour committee hearing, representatives mostly went after the other mayors, including New York Mayor Eric Adams. Wu stayed defiant but escaped the most scathing questioning from Republican lawmakers, while landing a few jabs of her own.

MassGOP weighed in on X, criticizing Wu for being the “only mayor testifying who couldn’t say how  many illegal immigrants have entered Boston in the past four years.”

“Why? Because she doesn’t ask – she doesn’t care. Your tax dollars, your city, but no accountability,” the state’s Republican party wrote.

The Boston mayor is up for reelection this year, with Wu set to face a potentially tough challenge from Josh Kraft. The hearing provided an opportunity for Wu to tout a signature achievement of her first term: Boston’s stunningly low homicide rate. She used this point to defend the city’s approach to immigration enforcement, which could offer a preview of what the fight between Wu and Kraft will look like later this year. 

Read up on Boston’s sanctuary policies, why Wu was called to testify, and how she responded here. 

Josh Kraft says he supports Boston’s current immigration policy

Kraft said after the hearing that he agrees with Boston’s immigration policy. The Boston Trust Act, which Wu staunchly defended to members of Congress, was signed by Mayor Marty Walsh.

“I support removing violent criminals from our community, wherever they come from,” Kraft said in a statement to Boston.com. “The Trust Act directs the BPD to cooperate with ICE with respect to the immediate removal of violent criminals.”

Kraft, the son of Patriots owner Robert Kraft and a longtime philanthropist, said he “strongly oppose(s)” Trump’s mass deportation plan, is against ICE entering schools and churches, and disagrees with Homan’s characterization of Boston.

“I know these people. I’ve spent my life working with the immigrant community in and around Boston,” Kraft said. “I also understand – and have great respect for – the important work that the Boston Police Department and other first responders do every day to keep Boston’s neighborhoods livable for all of our residents.”

Wu says Homan’s claims are ‘false’

Rep. John McGuire of Virginia questioned Wu about claims made by “border czar” Tom Homan that “nine child rapists” were jailed in Massachusetts but released because police did not honor ICE detainer requests. 

Homan made those comments when attacking BPD Commissioner Michael Cox and promising to “bring hell” to the city, despite the fact that Cox only oversees police operations in Boston and that data is purportedly about the entire state. 

Wu disputed Homan and McGuire’s claims and repeated her calls for Homan to testify before Congress. 

“That is inaccurate. That is false. I’d like to see the facts on that. Again, put him under oath and ask the questions here,” Wu said, speaking over McGuire.

She then compared Boston to McGuire’s district west of Richmond. 

“Congressman, our safety statistics are the lowest in the country, lower than your district,” Wu said.

Florida Rep. to refer mayors to DOJ for criminal investigation

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida said during the hearing that she would be referring the mayors to the Department of Justice for criminal investigation.

“I do not think you guys are bad people, but I think that you are ideologically misled,” Luna told the mayors. 

Luna’s comments come after Attorney General Pam Bondi notably criticized Wu on social media on Tuesday.

Luna read the Boston Trust Act into the record, asserting that the ordinance is in violation of federal law. 

“That is not the truth,” Wu said.

Rep. Nancy Mace calls Wu a ‘hypocrite’ as Pressley and committee chair yell over one another

Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina assailed Wu, asking her whether ICE actions against “murderous” gang members and child rapists threaten the safety of residents. Wu said that these actions do not threaten the safety of the public.

Mace then held up a piece of paper with words from Wu printed on it: “[ICE] efforts ‘actually threaten the safety of everyone.’”

Mace then called Wu a “hypocrite.” 

Mace added the words “[ICE] efforts” before the quote from Wu. It comes from a WCVB interview last year. The quote was taken out of context, and Wu did not directly refer to ICE when making the comment.

This is the full quote:

“Elections have consequences and the federal government is responsible for a certain set of actions, and cities, no individual city can reverse or override some parts of that. But what we can do is make sure that we are doing our part to protect our residents in every possible way. That we are not cooperating with those efforts that actually threaten the safety of everyone by causing widespread fear and having large-scale economic impact.”

Immediately after, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, who represents much of Boston, attempted to read into the record multiple articles about immigration policy. Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the Oversight Committee chair, cut off Pressley. The two proceeded to yell over each other in a brief but heated back-and-forth. 

“This trend of you all trying to get thrown out of committee so that you can get on MSNBC is going to end,” Comer told Pressley.

Lawmaker says mayors have ‘criminal culpability’

Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona tore into Wu and the other mayors, labeling sanctuary cities as illegal. He referenced two federal laws that concern immigration enforcement and punishments for those who harbor “illegal aliens” in certain scenarios. 

“Every one of you is exposed to criminal culpability here,” Biggs said. 

Earlier, Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana mentioned the prospect of jailing the mayors. 

“One of you said you’re willing to go to jail [to defend city policies]” Higgins said. “We might give you that opportunity.”

Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabama accused Wu and others of violating their oaths of office. 

“I don’t understand why we haven’t been discussing obstruction of justice,” he said.

Wu says mass deportations would wreck economy

Wu was asked whether or not she supported some form of immigration law. She said that she does support secure borders, comprehensive pathways to citizenship, and resources to “adjudicate the complexities of the law.”

But, at the same, Wu pushed against the solution offered by Trump and many Republicans: mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. 

“That would be devastating for our economy,” she said before being cut off. 

Later, Rep. Maxwell Frost of Florida asked Wu about what would happen if Trump successfully forces Boston to redirect resources toward mass deportation efforts. She asserted that this would be against both city and state laws. Wu also spoke about constituents being “terrified” of deportations. 

Those threats affect all residents, she said. 

“It makes all of us less safe, even those who aren’t immigrants,” Wu said.

Wu blasts Homan

Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the Oversight Committee, asked Wu about “border czar” Tom Homan’s promise to “bring hell” to Boston. 

Wu forcefully defended Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox and criticized Homan. 

“Shame on him for lying about my city, for having the nerve to insult our police commissioner,” she said. “Bring him here under oath, and let’s ask him some questions. I’m 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.”

Boston @MayorWu: “Let talk about Tom Homan. 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. Bring him here under oath and lets ask him some questions.” pic.twitter.com/0HDf1moUsa

— CSPAN (@cspan) March 5, 2025

Wu gives opening remarks

Wu, who introduced herself as a daughter of immigrants, used her opening remarks to defend Boston’s police and overall public safety. She pointed out that the city has set a new record low for gun violence every year since she took office. Wu mentioned other accomplishments: the “most ever” young people working paid summer jobs, the most pre-K seats at no cost to families, and the most affordable housing built “in a generation.”

She pointed out that Boston police partner “every day” with state and federal law enforcement, but state law and the Boston Trust Act make clear that immigration is the responsibility of federal officials. 

Wu has been a champion of the Boston Trust Act, saying that it empowers residents to contact local police and report crimes without fear of deportation. This, according to Wu, provides an overall net benefit to public safety. 

“We are the safest major city in the country because our gun laws are the strongest in the nation, because our officers have built relationships over decades, and because all of our residents can trust that when they call 911, in the event of an emergency or to report a crime, help will come,” Wu said. 

She then transitioned into a criticism of the Trump administration. 

“This federal administration’s approach is undermining that trust,” she 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.”

Wu described teachers who have students skipping class, pastors whose pews are empty, doctors with patients that are skipping appointments, and victims of violence who won’t call the police. 

“This federal administration is making hardworking, tax-paying, god-fearing residents afraid to live their lives,” she said. “A city that’s scared is not a city that is safe. A land ruled by fear is not the land of the free.”

Opposing rallies scheduled in Boston

Wu supporters and immigrant advocates are planning to rally outside Boston City Hall Wednesday morning as the mayor testifies before Congress. But the mayor’s opponents and detractors of Boston’s sanctuary policies are also reportedly scheduling a gathering around the same time. 

The pro-Wu rally is being organized by the ACLU of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). 

Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, defended the Boston Trust Act, the city’s main sanctuary policy. 

“This hearing is yet another attempt to bully state and local governments into carrying out the Trump administration’s agenda. But let’s be clear: Policies like the Trust Act keep our communities safe and free by bolstering public safety, building trust between law enforcement and community members, supporting our economy, and making it easier for all people to access critical resources,” she said in a statement. 

The rally will also feature Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and Councilor Julia Mejia. Josh Kraft will also attend, according to his campaign. It is set to begin at 11 a.m.

“Boston is one of the safest big cities in the country specifically because we will not allow political intimidation to dictate how we care for our neighbors,” Louijeune wrote on Instagram Wednesday morning, alongside a photo of her and Wu. 

But before that, at 10 a.m., a rally in “support of (border czar) Tom Homan’s promised efforts to hold Mayor Wu & (Police) Commissioner Cox accountable for their crimes” is scheduled to take place, The Boston Herald reported. 

Homan made headlines last month when he called out Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, a Wu appointee, and said that he would be “bringing hell” to the city. He and Wu also had a testy public exchange last fall after President Trump’s victory. 

New AG piles on criticism of Wu

Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was appointed by President Trump earlier this year, took to social media Tuesday to attack Wu. She accused Wu of siding with “public safety threats over law-abiding citizens” and said that the Department of Justice will ramp up efforts to prosecute criminals and deport undocumented immigrants in Boston. 

Under the Boston Trust Act, the city’s sanctuary policy, directs local police to refrain from involvement in civil immigration enforcement only. BPD continues to prosecute criminals and work with ICE on public safety issues like drug and weapons trafficking.