Live Updates: Boston, Chicago, and New York Mayors Testify on ‘Sanctuary Cities’ in Congress

On March 5, 2025, congressional Republicans questioned the mayors of four cities known for their sanctuary policies. These cities limit how much they cooperate with federal immigration agents, and the rules can differ significantly from one place to another.

Sanctuary cities have been around for decades. This movement started in the 1980s when churches began to help people fleeing violence in El Salvador. It gained more traction during Donald Trump’s presidency. Today, hundreds of communities across the U.S. offer protection to undocumented migrants.

Leaders in these areas, including police chiefs, argue that working with federal deportation efforts damages trust between local law enforcement and migrant communities. This, they claim, makes neighborhoods less safe. Some studies support these views, but many congressional Republicans believe sanctuary policies threaten public safety.

What exactly is a sanctuary city? The term usually applies to areas that restrict police cooperation with federal immigration authorities. For instance, these jurisdictions may only turn over undocumented individuals if there’s a federal arrest warrant or if they’ve committed serious crimes. Minor offenses, like traffic violations, often do not result in deportations.

Currently, there are an estimated 14 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. Sanctuary policies are most common in states with large immigrant populations, as these areas could see significant disruption from widespread deportations. States like California, New York, and Illinois have adopted such policies. Other states, like Texas and Florida, have laws that force local law enforcement to work closely with federal immigration officials.

The mayors of New York City, Chicago, Denver, and Boston are under scrutiny due to their sanctuary policies. These cities have faced a substantial influx of migrants, particularly those bused in from Texas by Governor Greg Abbott. This has created extra pressure on local resources, prompting some local leaders who once supported sanctuary policies to reevaluate their stance.

As debates over immigration continue, those in favor of stricter policies, including former President Trump and his supporters, have suggested that cities with sanctuary laws may face enforcement actions, raising the stakes in this ongoing conversation.

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Immigration and Emigration