During a fiery House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on March 5, 2025, Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) took sanctuary city mayors to task, sending a stern warning: their refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities could land them behind bars. The four mayors—representing Chicago, Denver, New York City, and Boston—were grilled by Republicans for their steadfast refusal to abide by federal immigration laws and their ongoing defense of sanctuary city policies, which Biggs and others argue jeopardize American communities.
The hearing, titled “A Hearing with Sanctuary City Mayors,” became a battlefield where Republican lawmakers confronted the mayors over their cities’ blatant defiance of U.S. immigration laws. Rather than retreating from their controversial sanctuary policies, the mayors dug in their heels, refusing to pledge cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These policies, which protect illegal immigrants from deportation and shield them from ICE detainers, have long been a point of contention, particularly as violent criminals remain free to roam the streets, escaping federal immigration enforcement.
In a moment of blistering criticism, Rep. Biggs didn’t mince words. He laid bare the legal ramifications for the mayors’ actions, emphasizing that their refusal to cooperate with ICE was not just politically questionable—it was illegal. “Now, I know that all of you understand that a removal order is a civil order, and that means none of you and none of your agencies within your municipalities are communicating or passing over someone where there’s an ICE removal detainer,” Biggs declared, calling out the mayors for their failure to uphold the law.
Biggs pointed out that sanctuary city policies, by refusing to honor ICE detainers, were effectively harboring illegal immigrants—often those who had been convicted of serious crimes—within their cities. He explained, “You’re allowing people who have a removal order, who had due process, you’re allowing them to stay in the country.” The congressman’s frustration was palpable, as he noted that these individuals, often violent offenders, were being shielded from deportation, endangering the safety of the American public.
But Biggs didn’t stop there. He directly accused the mayors of violating federal law, a charge that could have serious consequences. “You’re in violation of that law right here,” Biggs told the mayors, pointing to the relevant statute. “And you’ve got to start realizing what your culpability is on that. And that’s really what we’re talking about here.” The clear implication: the mayors’ defiance could lead to criminal charges and even jail time.
The hearing was a rare moment of accountability for the mayors, who have long been champions of illegal immigration. Conservative lawmakers like Biggs have consistently called for sanctuary cities to face consequences for their actions, particularly when those actions put American citizens at risk. “You’re endangering your own communities,” Biggs told them. “These policies are putting American lives at risk.”
As the hearing unfolded, Republican lawmakers wasted no time in pressing the case for cutting federal funding to sanctuary cities. It’s a message that resonates with many Americans who believe that law enforcement should be empowered to do its job without interference from liberal mayors playing political games. For Biggs and his colleagues, the issue is clear: sanctuary cities are breaking the law, and it’s time for the federal government to hold them accountable.
While the mayors refused to back down, the pressure is mounting. If Biggs’ warning is any indication, these sanctuary city politicians may soon find themselves facing more than just public backlash—they could be facing criminal charges. The days of sanctuary cities flouting the law with impunity may be coming to an end.
