Chicago’s policies on immigration and public safety were the focus of a heated discussion in a House Committee hearing on Oversight and Government Reform. Mayor Brandon Johnson and three other mayors defended their sanctuary city policies during a six-hour questioning session led by Republican lawmakers. Several claims were made about the impact of these policies, and here’s a breakdown of key points discussed:
Claim: Sanctuary city policies make Chicago and other cities less safe
False. Committee Chairman James Comer argued that sanctuary city policies make cities more dangerous. However, a 2019 CATO Institute study found that immigrants commit fewer crimes than U.S.-born individuals. In Texas, undocumented immigrants were 37.1% less likely to be convicted of a crime. Other studies also show that communities with inclusive immigration policies tend to have lower crime rates.
Claim: Johnson has an extremely low approval rating
True. Republican Representative Darin LaHood mentioned that Johnson’s approval rating was only 6%, which he called the lowest in U.S. history. A recent M3 Strategies poll confirmed that just 6.6% of 696 likely Chicago voters had a favorable view of Johnson.
Claim: Sanctuary city mayors are committing treason and breaking federal laws
False. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene accused Democratic mayors of treason. However, legal experts say this claim is inaccurate. Ed Yohnka of the ACLU explained that enforcing local laws is not illegal, and the federal government still enforces immigration laws. The Constitution’s Supremacy Clause ensures federal law takes priority, but local governments have the right to set their own enforcement priorities.
Claim: Trump’s deportation efforts are ‘terrorizing immigrant families’
True. Representative Melanie Stansbury criticized Republican immigration policies, arguing they hurt immigrant families. Some Chicago attorneys report that many immigrants arrested during Trump’s administration had no criminal records. In some cases, business owners and longtime residents were detained without proper warrants.
Claim: Chicago has spent millions on sheltering migrants
True. Mayor Johnson did not give an exact figure but estimated that about 1% of Chicago’s budget over four years has gone toward migrant support. A city report shows that over $638 million was spent between 2022 and 2024 on shelters and other resources for migrants.
Claim: ICE mainly detains criminals, traffickers, and child predators
Partially True. Representative Scott Perry claimed that ICE only targets dangerous criminals, but there is limited data to support this. Reports show that a growing number of people detained by ICE have no criminal record. The New York Times found that 16% of ICE detainees had no prior offenses, up from 6% in previous years.
Claim: ICE can enter schools and detain children
Partially True. Trump’s administration allowed ICE to make arrests in schools, reversing previous guidance. However, Chicago Public Schools has a policy that prevents immigration officers from entering schools without a criminal warrant.
Claim: Chicago does not cooperate with ICE
Partially True. Under Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance, local officials do not ask about immigration status or deny services based on it. However, Mayor Johnson confirmed that local law enforcement does cooperate with ICE when there is a criminal warrant from the federal government.
Conclusion
The hearing showcased ongoing debates over immigration policies, with Republicans arguing for stricter enforcement and Democrats defending local sanctuary city laws. While some claims were exaggerated or misleading, Chicago’s policies continue to prioritize both safety and inclusivity. The discussion highlighted the need for clear, fact-based conversations on immigration and public safety.
