Four mayors of American sanctuary cities are set to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government, facing tough questions about their policies. A key question revolves around the prioritization of undocumented immigrants over taxpaying citizens. These mayors have allocated significant city funds towards providing free housing, healthcare, education, and legal aid to newly arrived immigrants, raising concerns about the balance between supporting newcomers and serving the needs of existing residents.

Each mayor will likely face specific inquiries. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who has stated that the city's role is to "follow the law," will be questioned about Boston's "Trust Act," which led to the city declining 15 detainer requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last year. The committee may ask if she is willing to amend this law, particularly given how it may have hindered ICE's efforts to apprehend individuals deemed dangerous, including an MS-13 gang member, an alleged child rapist, and an alleged drug dealer. Further scrutiny may arise from Mayor Wu's recent expression of condolences to the family of an individual shot by police after allegedly attempting a knife attack.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will likely be questioned about the city's allocation of $95 million in federal Covid relief funds to support migrant shelters, as well as the distribution of $14.7 million in "resiliency" checks to workers regardless of immigration status. These decisions come amidst public concern about the strain on Chicago's public schools, the financial burden of new migrant shelters, and potential budget cuts. Mayor Johnson's low approval rating suggests public discontent with his handling of these issues.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston will face questions about the city's ongoing challenges with migrant influx, which has significantly escalated since a previous "emergency" declaration. With over 40,000 new arrivals and an estimated $340 million spent on related expenses, the committee may inquire about the impact on city resources, including potential cuts to police and fire budgets. Johnston's stance on deporting violent criminal aliens will also be scrutinized, particularly in relation to his potential support for Colorado House Bill 1140, which would enable information sharing between state and federal authorities regarding aliens on probation for violent felonies.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former police officer, will likely face questions about the reported prevalence of undocumented immigrants among those arrested for various crimes in the city. The committee may also address the seeming contradiction between a recent city law expanding acceptable forms of identification for undocumented immigrants to access city services and the city's policies that restrict police from inquiring about immigration status. This raises questions about transparency and accountability regarding public resources.

The congressional hearing promises to be a significant event, as these mayors defend their policies under scrutiny from a Congress unlikely to offer the same level of leniency.