Politics
Johnson Declines to Immediately Respond to Request to Testify to Congress About Sanctuary City Status
Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a news conference on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (WTTW News)
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday declined to respond to a request from the Republican chairperson of the U.S. House Oversight Committee about the city’s self-proclaimed status as a sanctuary city.
Instead, Johnson referred questions to the city’s top lawyer, Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry, who said the letter sent by U.S. Rep James Comer (R-Kentucky) was under “legal review.”
The letter from Comer, which does not have the legal force of a subpoena, also invites Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and New York City Mayor Eric Adams to a hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Feb. 11.
If Johnson refuses to appear as requested, it could open a new front in the ongoing battle with the GOP-controlled U.S House and the Trump administration, which is attempting to strip self-proclaimed sanctuary cities of all federal funding.
At his first formal news conference since President Donald Trump returned to office, Johnson again said Chicago will remain a welcoming city and Chicago police officers will remain prohibited from helping Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents deport undocumented Chicagoans.
Comer’s letter also requests all documents and communications related to Chicago’s sanctuary status, including those between each city, non-governmental organizations and state officials. State law also prohibits law enforcement agents from assisting federal immigration agents.
“Sanctuary jurisdictions and their misguided and obstructionist policies hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities, making Americans less safe,” Comer wrote to Johnson.
Richardson-Lowry told reporters she “respectfully disagreed” with Comer’s characterization of the city’s Welcoming City ordinance, which is designed to ensure that all Chicago residents, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status, can obtain city services, including police protection and medical care.
Trump’s reelection has already prompted many undocumented immigrants to return to life in the city’s shadows, for fear of exposing themselves or their families to deportation, immigrant advocates said.
City officials are also reviewing the Trump administration’s decision to freeze federal funding for a wide swath of services, including aid to seniors, veterans and children, Johnson said, calling the move unlawful.
In all, Chicago relies on approximately $4 billion in federal funding annually, Budget Director Annette Guzman said.
“This is something that is well outside the purview of the executive office,” said Johnson, who said he spoke with U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) on Tuesday morning to coordinate their response to the action by the Trump administration. “These appropriations have been mandated by the legislative branch. These are laws.”
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
