The tension between federal immigration enforcement and local “sanctuary” policies has reached new heights. For years, certain cities have implemented policies limiting cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), creating safe havens for those in the country illegally.

On Wednesday, four Democratic mayors testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Boston’s Michelle Wu, Chicago’s Brandon Johnson, Denver’s Mike Johnston, and New York City’s Eric Adams defended their sanctuary policies.

The hearing quickly became heated as Republican representatives questioned the mayors about their refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

That’s when Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) dropped a bombshell. The Florida congresswoman announced that she would be referring all four mayors to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution under federal immigration law.

“After this line of questioning it’s very clear, that these policies, that you will have all implicated are active and alive and well in your cities, are in direct violation with US Title 8 code, subsection 1324 and is a federal offense,” Luna told the mayors. “But you all speak about a broken immigration system, and yet here you guys are aiding and abetting in that entire process.”

Luna held up copies of the criminal referrals she planned to send to Attorney General Pam Bondi immediately following the hearing. The move represents a significant escalation in the battle between federal authorities and sanctuary jurisdictions under President Trump’s administration.

The Legal Case Against Sanctuary Cities

Luna’s referral specifically cites Title 8, U.S. Code § 1324, which makes it illegal to “harbor” or “shield from detection” unauthorized aliens. The statute includes penalties for anyone who “encourages or induces an alien to come to, enter, or reside in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in violation of law.”

“I do not think you guys are bad people, but I think that you are ideologically misled,” Luna told the mayors during the hearing. She emphasized that their policies hurt both American citizens and migrants themselves.

While a congressional criminal referral does not guarantee prosecution, it places significant pressure on the Department of Justice to investigate the claims. The House Oversight Committee had already announced probes into these four sanctuary cities back in January.

I just referred the sanctuary city mayors to the Department of Justice for CRIMINAL investigations based on evidence from their own comments and policies, proving that they were breaking federal law.

Open borders ideologies hurt people on both sides. If you hold federal office… pic.twitter.com/wt2swTOnru

— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) March 5, 2025

Public Safety at Risk

Sanctuary policies have repeatedly allowed dangerous criminals to remain in communities despite ICE detainer requests. In Massachusetts, ICE agents were forced to track down and arrest a 24-year-old illegal immigrant from Guatemala who had been released on bail despite being charged with child rape in Bristol County.

In another case, ICE took into custody an illegal immigrant from Cape Verde Islands with repeated public lewdness convictions after local authorities released him despite ICE’s detainer request.

Denver Mayor Johnston previously suggested in a November 2024 interview that local law enforcement and citizens could resist Trump administration deportation efforts. Tom Homan, President Trump’s border czar, responded by noting Johnston was essentially declaring willingness to commit a felony.

New York City’s Mayor Adams, despite maintaining sanctuary policies, has recently shown signs of cooperation. In February, he appeared with border czar Tom Homan to announce that ICE would operate at Rikers Island, suggesting that some sanctuary mayors may be reconsidering their positions.

A New Era of Immigration Enforcement

President Trump has made illegal immigration enforcement a cornerstone of his second term. In his recent address to Congress, he vowed to “complete the largest deportation operation in American history.”

The criminal referrals of these four mayors signal that the administration is prepared to use every legal tool available to combat sanctuary policies that obstruct federal immigration enforcement.

While the mayors defended their communities as “welcoming” and called for immigration reform, the Trump administration has made clear that local officials cannot pick and choose which federal laws to follow.

For sanctuary jurisdictions across the country, Luna’s action serves as a warning that the federal government is prepared to hold local officials accountable for policies that impede immigration enforcement.

Key Takeaways:

• Rep. Luna’s criminal referrals target mayors for “aiding and abetting” illegal immigration under federal law.
• Sanctuary policies have allowed dangerous criminals to evade ICE and remain in American communities.
• Local officials cannot legally obstruct federal immigration enforcement despite “welcoming” rhetoric.
• This action signals the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to enforcing immigration laws.

Sources: Daily Caller, Fox News