(The Center Square) – The mayor of Chicago testified during a congressional hearing Wednesday that his city is safer because of its Welcoming City ordinance.
“Any actions that amplify fears of deportations make Chicago more dangerous. Those fears cause witnesses and victims to avoid cooperating with police,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said.
Johnson joined mayors from Boston, Denver and New York City before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Kentucky, said sanctuary policies risk the safety of federal agents and the public.
“These policies only provide sanctuary for criminals,” Comer said, adding that they also violate federal law. “If sanctuary cities were to simply communicate and work with federal immigration authorities, then federal agents could arrest criminal illegal aliens in a secure environment, like a state or local jail. Instead, they have to risk their own safety and public safety by having to go into uncertain, dangerous circumstances just to make an arrest.”
Several lawmakers mentioned gang members and violent criminals that local governments failed to turn over to federal officials.
Johnson said sensationalizing tragedy in the name of political expediency is grandstanding.
“Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance and our other laws and policies do not lead to more crime. They do not prevent cooperation with federal law enforcement on criminal matters. We do not harbor criminals. We arrest them,” Johnson said.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-South Carolina, asked Johnson if it is acceptable for illegals who commit heinous crimes to be released into the public instead of being deported.
“Any individual that causes harm …,” Johnson said.
“Yes or no,” Mace interrupted.
“… and breaks the law should be held accountable,” Johnson answered.
“This is why you have 6% approval rating, because you suck at answering questions,” Mace said.
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Florida, asked Johnson how much money Chicago spent on illegal immigrants.
Johnson said it was 1% of the city’s budget since Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began busing people to Chicago. When pressed for a number, Johnson suggested he could get back to Donalds with the information.
“If you don’t have a hard number, you’re not running your city well,” Donalds said.
Chicago’s budget rose from $16.6 billion in 2024 to $17.1 billion for 2025.
City Budget Director Annette Guzman said last year that the city spent $1.4 million a day on new arrivals for several days in December 2023.
U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, informed Johnson that Chicago also spent $32 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds on illegal aliens.
Johnson said the city’s welcoming ordinance and the Illinois TRUST Act restrict local law enforcement from immigration enforcement.
“We do not permit our local law enforcement from engaging in any federal matters,” Johnson said.
Last year’s state of Illinois budget included about $970 million in funding for non-citizen migrants, but recently released documents indicate that the state was actually spending more. An Illinois Auditor General report showed that taxpayer subsidies for non-citizen health care alone totaled $1.6 billion over three years.
The report on health benefits for immigrant seniors and adults showed overall costs from 2021 to 2023 totaled more than $897 million, or up to 286% higher than estimated.
Illinois U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, told Johnson he was tone-deaf and oblivious for his policies as mayor. LaHood also brought up Johnson’s 6.6% approval rating according to a recent poll by M3 Strategies.
“The worst showing of any political figure in the country’s history,” LaHood said. “I know you’re talking about crime is down and things are great and the city’s flush with money. None of that is backed up by the people in the city of Chicago.”
“I will not apologize for my investments in the people of Chicago,” Johnson said.
Illinois U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, D-Chicago, affirmed his support for Johnson and for city and state sanctuary policies.
“I’m proud that since the enactment of the Illinois Trust Act in 2017, the state of Illinois, Cook County and the city of Chicago have maintained an ongoing commitment to welcoming those in need,” Davis said.
Davis said he opposed legislation which would strip federal funding from sanctuary cities.
Illinois U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg, used part of his allotted time to criticize President Donald Trump.
“President Trump, if you’re watching this hearing, I respectfully ask, when will egg costs be high enough for you to issue one executive order on bird flu?” Krishnamoorthi said.
The Schaumburg Democrat welcomed the Chicago mayor at the beginning of the hearing.
“I’m pleased to introduce Brandon Johnson, mayor of the greatest city in the world, namely Chicago, a city that was built by generations of immigrants,” Krishnamoorthi said.
Krishnamoorthi praised Johnson and said the mayor grew up in Elgin, which is part of Krishnamoorthi’s congressional district.
Greg Bishop contributed to this story.
