New York City Mayor Eric Adams, along with the mayors of Boston, Chicago and Denver will testify in front of a Republican-led Congressional committee on Wednesday about their policies regarding their sanctuary cities' status. Ahead of his appearance, Adams wrote an op-ed for the New York Post to explain his stance, attempting a balancing act between supporting migrants and the need to tackle crime as he has cozied up to the Trump administration over the past months.
The mayors are expected to sit down in front of a hostile committee, whose members accuse them of protecting "criminals" and thwarting the president's plan to deport millions of people who are in the country unauthorized.
Adams' testimony in particular is being looked out for given the controversy sparked by the decision by Trump's Justice Department to prosecutors to drop corruption charges against the mayor, a move that led to resignations in the department amid accusations of "quid pro quo." The showdown even led to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to consider using her constitutional powers to remove Adams from office, questioning his independence, a move she finally declined.
The mayor believes the city can reduce crime— even as a Sanctuary City. He spoke at a press conference ahead of his scheduled testimony and noted that because New York City is a sanctuary city, it is not a safe haven for violent criminals. He also wrote an op-ed Tuesday for the New York Post further explaining his stance on the matter.
"Tomorrow, I will testify before the United States Congress on how, under our administration's leadership, New York City can continue reducing crime— even as a 'sanctuary city'— and how big-city mayors can restore common sense to governance," Adams wrote.
He also said "we must recognize that law-abiding immigrants in New York have played an important role in our society. Immigrant New Yorkers, including those who are undocumented, pay billions of dollars in taxes and contribute billions more in spending power to our economy."
"We can be a sanctuary for immigrants but still fight crime," he continued. "... being a 'sanctuary city' 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 also vowed in the op-ed to work with federal officials "no matter who is president" to combat violent gangs and urged other elected leaders to do the same.
The mayors will make the case before Congress that they make cities safer by encouraging undocumented immigrants to engage with local authorities and report crimes without fear, insisting their approach breaks no laws, according to The Washington Post.
"We want folks to come here, whether you're coming from Cleveland or California or Caracas," Denver Mayor Mike Johnson told the "City Cast Denver" podcast last week. "It is a false narrative to say that somehow if you are a welcoming city, you're not committed to public safety."
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu also emphasized her city's low crime rate during a news conference in Washington on Tuesday. "I'm here to stand up for Boston," she said, flanked by members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation. "You can put me in any situation and I will gladly do so with a smile on my face."
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