Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (D) on Wednesday argued for legislation to make cities safer during a House Oversight Committee hearing on "sanctuary cities."
"We follow all state, city, and federal laws in Boston," Wu told Rep. Paul Gosar from Arizona.
"What happens when you get in conflict with [federal laws]?" Gosar asked. "Who do you support?"
Throughout the hearing, Republican representatives accused Democratic mayors from New York, Denver, Boston, and Chicago of not cooperating with federal authorities and shielding undocumented immigrants in their cities. The mayors attested to following the law.
"The Constitution, as I understand it, doesn't require cities or police officers or anyone to follow their laws in conflict, follow federal laws in conflict with local laws or state laws," Wu responded.
"Okay, and the Constitution is explicit that the federal government has jurisdiction and supremacy over all immigration laws, right?" Gosar said, adding, "How can you get a comprehensive immigration policy when you're defying it from the very get-go?
"You're building it on false premises and false tenets," Gosar continued.
"Respectfully, Congressman, you could pass bipartisan legislation and that would be comprehensive immigration law," Wu asserted.
"The false narrative is that immigrants in general are criminals or immigrants in general cause all sorts of danger and harm," the Boston mayor continued. "That is actually what is undermining safety in our communities."
"If you wanted to make us safe, pass gun reforms," Wu continued. "Stop cutting Medicaid. Stop cutting cancer research. Stop cutting funds for veterans. That is what will make our city safe."
