Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna on Wednesday said she would refer four Democratic mayors to the Justice Department (DOJ) for criminal prosecution over their handling of the illegal migrant crisis. 

The announcement occurred during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing where the mayors testified about their cities' status as sanctuary cities for illegal migrants, and what they have done to stem the flow of illegal migration.

The mayors include Mike Johnston of Denver; Eric Adams, of New York City; Michelle Wu, of Boston, and Brandon Johnson of Chicago. The four cities have been officially or unofficially deemed "sanctuary cities" because, in part, their law enforcement agencies will not help federal agents deport the migrants. 

Luna claimed it was "clear" that the mayors all violated a federal law that bans people from bringing in and harboring migrants without legal status, according to The Hill.

“You all speak about a broken immigration system and yet here you guys are aiding and abetting in that entire process,” she said. “I do not think you guys are bad people but I think you are ideologically misled which is why, unfortunately based on your responses, I’m going to be criminally referring you to the Department of Justice for investigation."

The lawmaker asserted that she was not trying to "bully" the mayors, but that the referral was because their actions were hurting the American people. 

“If you guys continue doing what you’re doing, you’re not going to help anyone,” she added.

The criminal referral is a formal notice to the DOJ that Luna believes criminal conduct may have taken place. It does not require the DOJ to open the investigation. 

Luna said she would make the referral to Attorney General Pam Bondi as soon as the hearing was over.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.