The House Oversight and Judiciary Committees on Wednesday held a hearing with mayors from four major U.S. cities about their sanctuary city policies and pinned the immigration crisis on the federal government during the Biden administration. 

In January, commitee Chairman James Comer announced an investigation into such policies across the country that he said were reckless and endangering the public.

“The pro-illegal alien mayors of Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City have implemented reckless, illegal policies that shield criminal aliens from federal immigration enforcement and endanger public safety. Criminal alien predators should not be free to roam our communities,” Comer said in a statement. “State and local governments that refuse to comply with federal immigration enforcement efforts should not receive a penny of federal funding.” 

Mayors Eric Adams, of New York; Mike Johnston, of Denver; Michelle Wu, of Boston and Brandon Johnson, of Chicago, appeared before the committee to address their cities’ immigration policies. 

An embattled Adams appeared at the hearing amid controversy about how he has handled the illegal immigration crisis and over corruption charges recently dropped by the Trump Justice Department. 

Adams asserted that New York City’s status as a sanctuary city “does not mean our city will ever be a safe haven for violent criminals,” in his opening statement. 

“It also does not give New York City the authority to violate federal immigration laws. To the contrary, New York City will always comply with city, state, and federal laws, as it does now,” Adams promised. 

The mayors unanimously insisted they would follow their own state and local laws in dealing with federal law enforcement. 

“Massachusetts state law and the Boston Trust Act make clear immigration is federal law enforcement’s responsibility,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu told lawmakers. 

After the opening statements, Comer confronted the mayors about dangerous immigrants who faced charges in their cities, alleging that the cities consistently fail to turn suspects over the Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

“Will you turn the criminal over to ICE?” Chairman Comer asked Chicago Mayor Johnson after describing a case in the city about a violent illegal immigrant, arrested in connection with a murder and a suspected member of a foreign gang, was released. 

“With a criminal warrant from the federal government our local law enforcement repeatedly collaborates with federal agents,” Johnson replied. 

Chicago’s “Welcoming City Ordinance” prevents local law enforcement and city employees from becoming involved in civil immigration enforcement or assisting federal authorities in such operations.

“So you’re saying publicly today that you will turn that alien over to ICE in a safe place, like a jail, instead of turning them out on the street and saying ‘here you go, ICE, good luck.’ You will turn them over to ICE?” Comer asked. 

“With a criminal warrant, as we have done for 40 years,“ Johnson reiterated. 

The hearing comes as the Trump administration moves to crack down on illegal immigration, which reached the highest levels this century under the prior administration. Trump’s immigration czar, Tom Homan, has criticized sanctuary cities for their obstruction of federal efforts to deport illegal aliens. 

“Sanctuary cities want to keep locking us out of jails,” Homan previously told reporters.

The immigration crisis also shows signs of dying down under new Trump administration policies. Data suggest illegal border crossings have declined 94% over roughly the last year, the border patrol chief told CBS News last month.