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Wu officially accepts invitation to testify before Congress on Boston’s ‘sanctuary’ status
Wu accepted the invitation to testify in person to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, but the hearing date isn't finalized.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu confirmed Tuesday that she will head to Washington to testify before Congress about Boston’s “sanctuary policies.”
“My team and I have accepted the committee’s offer to go in person and share the great work that Boston has been doing to make us the safest city in America and to get into the details of what that means and all the pieces of our community who are involved in that,” Wu said at an unrelated event.
Wu was one of four mayors called to testify to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Feb. 11 at 10 a.m., Rep. James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, wrote in a letter Jan. 27.
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Wu initially indicated on Monday that she would testify, depending on the timeline as she recovers from giving birth to her third child last month. She confirmed her plan to attend when visiting Roxbury Roots Montessori Tuesday, but said “we look forward to sharing more about the finalized date as it is locked down.”
Wu, along with New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, will be questioned about “sanctuary” policies, which in Boston includes the Boston Trust Act. The law limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
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“These jurisdictions take it upon themselves to decide what laws they will and will not abide by all for the purpose of shielding removable aliens, especially criminals, from federal law enforcement,” Comer wrote to Wu. “Citizens of all four cities have suffered due to sanctuary policies.”
Wu has stood firm on Boston’s immigration policies, calling President Donald Trump’s tactics “bluster” and an example of “trying to create drama and fear and sort of perception of fulfilling pretty draconian campaign promises.” She has also frequently pointed to Boston’s safety statistics, which includes the lowest murder rate in the city since 1957.
According to the letter to Wu, the Committee asked for all documents and communications between city officials, state officials, federal officials, and non-governmental organizations regarding the city’s “sanctuary status.” Wu’s administration is working to provide the documents while asking Washington to extend the timeline, Wu said Monday.
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