Mayor Brandon Johnson testifies in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. [Livestream]

Mayor Brandon Johnson joined three other big city mayors on Wednesday to defend Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance at a congressional hearing on sanctuary cities and the effect they have on public safety and immigration enforcement. 

“Any actions that amplify fears of deportations make Chicago more dangerous,” Johnson said in opening remarks. “Those fears cause witnesses and victims to avoid cooperating with police.”

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and New York City Mayor Eric Adams also testified about their cities’ respective policies limiting law enforcement from inquiring about immigration status and assisting federal immigration authorities. 

While congressional Republicans grilled the city leaders, the four reiterated that their individual sanctuary policies are meant to ensure people cooperate with local police and report crimes regardless of their legal status and claimed their police forces still assist in apprehending people that commit violent crimes and pose dangers. 

“I know that there are myths about these laws, but we must not let mischaracterizations and fearmongering obscure the reality that Chicago’s crime rates are trending down,” Johnson said in his opening remarks. 

But Republicans argued that the policies run afoul of federal law and make it harder for federal authorities to do their jobs within those cities, though it doesn’t prevent the agencies from operating within those cities. 

“These policies only create sanctuary for criminals,” U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said in opening remarks. “Sanctuary cities and states refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts and harbor illegal aliens.”

Ranking member U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) said “the state and local laws that Republicans have issue with today are in full compliance with federal law. They do not obstruct [Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)] from carrying out its duties.” 

Johnson is the first sitting Chicago mayor to testify in front of Congress in over 17 years, according to WTTW. The testimony also came as the mayor, the city, Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling and Cook County and the state and their respective leadership were recently sued by the federal government over the city, county and state’s sanctuary policies.

The welcoming city ordinance stipulates that city authorities or officials will not deny someone city services based on immigration status; will not request nor disclose someone’s immigration status and will not assist in civil federal immigration investigations. Previously, it allowed city authorities to assist in immigration enforcement when someone had an outstanding criminal warrant, faced a felony charge, had a previous felony conviction or had a gang affiliation, but those exceptions were eliminated in 2021.

However, Johnson clarified Wednesday during testimony that Chicago police, under the Illinois TRUST Act, must still cooperate with ICE to enforce federal criminal warrants. 

But when the city’s mayor was questioned by U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) about his concerns local law enforcement don't ask about immigration status in their routine activities, Johnson said the ordinance allows local police to focus on "local policies," not federal ones. 

“We comply with all laws,” Johnson said to Perry and repeated throughout the hearing in response to questions. 

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) sought to clarify misunderstandings about sanctuary laws. 

“Republicans are acting like there’s a mythical barrier that keeps ICE completely out of cities,” Lee said. “That’s simply not the case.” 

But U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) said that even if the mayors say they follow criminal warrants, the lack of adherence to civil warrants presents a problem and violates federal statute. 

Johnson joined other mayors in insisting that the federal government pass comprehensive immigration reform and blamed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for bussing people to Chicago without coordination. 

Democratic lawmakers also argued that the Trump administration’s threats to cut federal funding to cities that restrict cooperation with ICE would make those cities less safe.

But Johnson got into a brief conflict with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) when asked how much money Chicago had spent on its new arrivals mission. Johnson said between 2022 and 2024, it represented about 1 percent of the city’s budget, but when Donalds pressed for the specific number spent by the city Johnson declined to provide it. 

Johnson offered to have his office follow up and provide it to the congressman, but Donalds said “if you don’t have a hard number, you’re not running your city well.” 

Johnson was also pressed for a few minutes by Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Tex.) about the recent Chicago Office of the Inspector General advisory on the mayor’s acceptance of various luxury gifts on behalf of the city. Johnson demurred, saying he had been brought in to answer questions about the welcoming city ordinance and stating that he had not personally accepted those gifts. 

Johnson also had a contentious exchange with U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), who accused Johnson of putting illegal immigrants above his responsibility to citizens. 

Johnson repeated that homicides and other violent crimes had decreased in the city and invited LaHood to work with him to secure additional investments for Chicago. 

“I’m willing to work with you, and I’m glad I had a chance to finally meet you for the first time,” Johnson added at the end of LaHood’s questioning.