3:34 p.m. — This live blog is wrapped!
Thank you for following along. Read our wrap-up story here, watch back the video feed here or read through all our entries right here.
2:27 p.m. — Colorado's Jeff Hurd is the last to question the mayors
Colorado Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd ended up being the final member of Congress to ask questions at the marathon six-hour hearing.
He too focused on Johnston, asking what spending limits the city would put on support for new immigrants, if another wave of arrivals begins.
Johnston said Denver has made adjustments in what it provides to new immigrants. The city shifted its policy from prioritizing emergency housing in hotels to holding work authorization clinics. The mayor pleaded for Congress to help speed up work authorization, a request he’s been making when Biden was still in office, saying that if it were easier for people to work legally, the city wouldn't need to spend anything to support them.
Johnston said Denver has seen a dramatic drop in new arrivals since June of 2024, with spending falling by 90 percent.
Hurd asked if there was concrete evidence that Denver’s immigration policies have made the city more vulnerable to crime.
Johnston noted that crime is down. He added that the city has been working to combat crime in general, and to reduce the presence of both Tren de Aragua and MS-13 specifically.
Hurd said people in western and southern Colorado are concerned that new immigrants have moved from Denver to their regions. Johnston’s response was that the city provides emergency services to make sure people are not freezing on the streets and that Denver does not track or control if and where people go next. He said he would not be surprised if people were moving to other parts of the state.
— Kyle Harris
2:22 p.m. — Colorado GOP Rep. Jeff Crank again invokes Abraham Gonzalez
When Republican Rep. Jeff Crank got a turn to ask questions, he went hard against Johnston, raising concerns over the city’s legal support of undocumented immigrants, and returning to the subject of how the city handles transfers from its jails to ICE.
Denver, he claimed, hopes Tren de Aragua gang members are released into the community without being detained by ICE, a claim Johnston strongly denied.
He again brought up Abraham Gonzalez, the alleged Tren de Aragua member whose release from the Denver jail last week came in for criticism multiple times during the hearing. He noted that Gonzalez apparently bit one of the six ICE agents who arrested him in a parking lot outside the jail.
“Mr. Mayor, would you feel safe if you were alone in a parking lot with a Tren de Aragua member, like you make your police officers do or ICE agents do?” Crank asked.
Johnston responded that there were six ICE agents on the scene.
Crank asked if Denver would change the policies to protect ICE officers.
Johnston said he called federal officials as soon as he learned of the incident, and would be sitting down with ICE officers in the coming weeks to prevent such an assault from happening again.
— Kyle Harris
2:16 p.m. — Colorado Republican Gabe Evans focused on public safety
Colorado Rep. Gabe Evans, the grandson of a Mexican immigrant and former Arvada police officer, tangled with Johnston over public safety in the city.
Evans says he’s seen firsthand how public safety in Denver and Colorado is plummeting.
He pointed to Denver’s rising rank in the most dangerous cities in the country and how overdose numbers have stayed flat while the rest of the country has seen a drop.
To make that point, Evans points to a 2020 article that ranked cities based on violent crime, and a 2025 US News list that combined murder and property crimes for its rankings.
“I think you may have some bad facts,” Johnston pushed back, noting that Denver's murder rate has dropped in each of the last three years. Evans seized on those numbers.
“Do you know how many of those 65 to 71 homicides were committed by people illegally present in the country,” Evans said.
Evans took umbrage with how the Denver Police Department is prohibited from asking about immigration status.
He claimed Denver police are being instructed not to fill out 'place of origin' on FBI fingerprint cards.
Evans said Denver is cratering in public safety stats, a claim Johnston described as “false.”
— Kyle Harris
2:11 p.m. Committee concludes with kudos for good behavior
The hearing concluded just after 2 p.m. It was largely civil and deviated in tone from the dramatic video posted to X that promised to hold the mayors accountable.
“This is the best behaved this committee has been,” Chair James Comer said
— Kyle Harris
1:35 p.m. — A tame appearance from Marjorie Taylor Greene
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene used her time on the panel to talks about the fentanyl crisis and crimes created by immigrants who entered the country illegally.
She asked the mayors if they will work with ICE and end sanctuary city policies.
Johnston said he will continue working with ICE and repeated that he believes the city’s current policies work.
— Kyle Harris
1:24 p.m. — Questioning continues from both sides of the committee
Democratic Rep. Dave Min tries to underline that ICE isn't blocked from operating in U.S cities.
“Please raise your hand," he asks all four mayors, "if you are aware of any laws or policies that prevent federal authorities from enforcing immigration in your city."
No hands go up.
"Please raise your hand if you're aware of any cities or laws or policies that prevent federal authorities from enforcing immigration law any cities."
Again, no hands.
Min argues its important for local law enforcement to handle local crimes and federal law enforcement to enforce immigration laws.
He's followed by GOP Rep. Brian Jack of Georgia, who says he spoke to mayors of local cities in his district who want to know why policies are in place to benefit citizens of other countries rather than citizens of this country.
He asked Johnston about whether there is a benefit in learning whether or not someone charged with a crime is an undocumented immigrant.
“We don’t ask someone’s status when we first contact them because it’s not relevant to whatever charges we may be pursuing," Johnston responds.
— Kyle Harris
1:11 p.m. — Johnston says Denver will keep its immigration system because it works
Republican Rep. Nick Langworthy of New York asks the four mayors whether they have considered trying to revoke their sanctuary city policies.
“We think the system we have works, and we will keep it,” Johnston says.
Langworthy responds: "The American people are fed up with the policies that protect criminals, waste taxpayer dollars and prioritize illegal immigrants over the safety and well being of hard working citizens … Your cities, once shining beacons of opportunity, have now become a symbol of failure and leadership."
— Kyle Harris
12:45 p.m. — As the hearing gets back into session: What does "sanctuary city" mean anyway?
The phrase “sanctuary city” has become a weapon for conservatives criticizing places like Denver. But much like “woke,” this right-wing attack phrase has its roots on the left.
Some sources date its modern usage to 1971, when Berkeley, Calif., declared itself a “place of sanctuary” for military members refusing to return to Vietnam aboard the USS Coral Sea.
Later, a movement rallied around the concept of “sanctuary” for immigrants in the 1980s. The U.S. was refusing asylum for many Central Americans who were fleeing civil war and instability. Los Angeles limited police involvement in immigration enforcement in 1979. A group of churches in California and Arizona declared themselves to be sanctuaries for immigrants in 1982, and hundreds more followed. Berkeley again declared itself a sanctuary, while San Francisco became a “City of Refuge” in 1985.
There’s no legal definition of “sanctuary,” but it generally refers to city and state policies that prohibit cooperating or sharing information with federal authorities. Denver and Colorado have spent the last 20 years enacting those kinds of policies. But mainstream politicians here have shied away from embracing the term “sanctuary.”
In 2017, then-mayor Michael Hancock even declared that Denver was “not a sanctuary city” — but then faced blowback from immigrant advocates, some of whom worried that he was rejecting the long history of the movement. Johnston may face a similar challenge: Is Denver a sanctuary or not? He’s unlikely to admit to the charge. The city’s position is that it has never interfered with federal authorities — it just hasn’t helped them out more than is legally required.
— Andrew Kenney
12:24 p.m. — We're taking another 20 minute break
12:15 p.m. — Johnson or Johnston?
Finally, a Johnson and Johnston solution. After another lawmaker stumbles over the close last names of the two mayors, Johnston (of Denver) suggests they just say "Chicago" or "Denver."
— Caitlyn Kim
12:10 p.m. — Rep. Luna says she's referring Johnston and other mayors for federal prosecution
In a hearing that has not lacked for high stakes moments, this one might have reached a new level.
Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna accuses Mayor Johnston of committing a federal crime by housing immigrants, arguing it meets the legal standard of harboring undocumented immigrants, a felony under the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act.
Luna asks Johnston about whether he would be willing to face arrest or engage in civil disobedience to stop federal immigration enforcement. He has said he is willing to defend Denver's welcoming values and face arrest if needed.
Luna says after the hearing, she will refer the mayors to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice for criminal investigation. She says she's doing it not to bully them but to get them to stop doing things she believes hurt the American people.
Johnston has consistently denied the city has ever violated city, state or federal law,
Luna says the mayors are not bad people, but "ideologically misled."
“If you guys continue doing what you’re doing, you’re not going to help anyone. you're going to hurt more people," she says.
— Kyle Harris, Caitlyn Kim and Andrew Kenney
12:06 p.m. — Driver's license and health care laws
Rep. Brandon Gill, Republican of Texas, asks Chicago's mayor about a series of Illinois laws, including whether he supports allowing driver's licenses and subsidized health care for undocumented immigrants.
Colorado has some similar laws, which we summarized here.
— Andrew Kenney
11:47 a.m. — One GOP rep asks why Johnston didn't push Biden harder
GOP Rep. Byron Donalds focuses his first question on the busing of migrants to the cities represented at today's hearing.
"Did you reach out to Joe Biden?" he asks Johnston.
Johnston responds he reached out to Texas Gov. Greg Abbot because Abbott was the one sending the buses and that he also talked to Biden.
Donalds questions why Johnston didn’t push border policy harder with Biden.
Texas and Abbott, Donalds says, sent immigrants to Denver, Chicago, New York and Martha’s Vineyard to keep those cities from hiding from the realities of illegal immigration facing border towns.
— Kyle Harris and Caitlyn Kim
11:43 a.m. — What Biden did with the border
Republican Rep. William Timmons of South Carolina tells the mayors: “You all did the best you could with bad situations."
He asks how many undocumented immigrants each city had to deal with.
Johnston responds: “42,000 newcomers."
But it’s unclear whether those individuals were here lawfully or not. The city did not track legal status, according to the Mayor’s Office.
Timmons asks the mayors whether they pushed the Biden administration to change its border policy. Johnston says he did, but the focus was on getting work authorization for new immigrants.
Timmons goes back to a theme Republicans have been hammering on — that Democrats have said they need immigration reform, while Republicans say all we needed was a strong president or, in his words, “a new president.”
It’s important to note that after a bipartisan attempt to get immigration and border security legislation through Congress last year, Biden also took executive action to block border crossings. It worked, and crossings have gone even lower since Trump took office.
— Kyle Harris and Caitlyn Kim
11:35 a.m. — A breather
Seems like after the break, lawmakers have started doing more talking than asking of questions/ The mayors are getting a little breather.
— Caitlyn Kim
11:34 a.m. — More back-and-forths between Comer and Democrats
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia, a Democrat, is asking the mayors about the impact of losing federal funding and how it would impact cities. All four mayors say it would be a negative impact.
Subramanyam brings up a bill Congress is considering that would take some federal funding away from “sanctuary” cities that don’t work with ICE and calls it extortion. He says it feels like they have the wrong people in the room today.
"We have mayors of cities that are trying to do their best with the situation that they have.” Subramanyam notes that Republican governors were the ones who bused new arrivals to these cities.
Following Subramanyam, Chair Comer gets into another back-and-forth, this time with Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico.
Their exchange starts off smoothly, with Stansbury picking up Rep. Pressley's effort to get articles put into the record. She asks Comer to respect colleagues on the Democratic side of the aisle and then they started talking over each other.
Comer says Pressley was trying to filibuster and now Stansbury is too. He moves to the next questioner. Last night Stansbury held up a sign reading "This is not normal" as Trump walked in for his address to Congress and a Republican member snatched it out of her hand and threw it to the floor.
— Caitlyn Kim
11:24 a.m. — A heated moment
Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley is trying to get articles entered into the record that contradict Republican claims — at this moment, articles about how immigrants commit less crime than Americans.
Chair James Comer said yes, but Pressley seems to want to read out the headline of each one, and he cuts her off. As she objects, Comer says she's trying to get thrown out to get on MSNBC. After some shouting over each other, he finally regains control of the hearing room, and we're back to asking questions.
— Caitlyn Kim
11:22 a.m. — An exchange between Rep. Nancy Mace and Mike Johnston
Rep. Nancy Mace, Republican of South Carolina, goes in hot, saying the mayors have "blood" on their hands.
She insults Chicago Mayor Johnson, saying he has, "a six percent approval rating 'cause you suck at answering questions.”
She asks questions like: "When an illegal alien rapes a woman, do you believe you’re on the right side of history?"
Johnston responds: "I will charge and prosecute them."
Wu adds: "No, rape is obviously horrible."
Mace continues to claim the cities are letting suspects "out on the streets."
Mace continues: "Would your city honor an ICE detainer on an illegal alien who rapes kids?"
Johnston responds that Denver would honor a criminal warrant or, lacking that, a notification request.
Mace asks: "Do you all hate Donald Trump more than you love your country?"
For the record, Johnston repeats twice, “I love my country.”
Mace asks: "Do you love illegal aliens more than you love your fellow countrymen?
Johnston responds: "I love all the residents of the city and county."
— Caitlyn Kim and Andrew Kenney
11:14 a.m. — The hearing has been going on for just over three hours now.
After a 20-minute break, the hearing room is pretty empty right now. Not a lot of lawmakers present. On the Republican side, only Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas and Rep. William Timmons of South Carolina.
There are about six Democratic lawmakers present.
Mace starts off her questioning without mincing words. All of you mayors "are actively undermining" the American people you represent. She tells the panel, "You all have blood on your hands."
— Caitlyn Kim
11:11 a.m. — AZ rep emphasizes legal threats against the mayors
Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona notes the distinction mayors are making between criminal warrants and the civil version. A removal order is a civil order and that's what he wants to focus on.
“You're allowing people who have a removal order, who had due process … you’re allowing them to stay in the country” he says, adding that violates three federal laws.
He says by doing that, the mayors are exposed to criminal culpability, because laws don’t make a distinction between criminal and civil.
— Caitlyn Kim
11 a.m. — We return to the hearing with a Democratic committee member
With lawmakers and the mayors back in their seats, Democratic Rep. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania starts off hot by defining what sanctuary cities are and making a defense of the idea — saying it's not local law enforcement's job to do ICE's job.
"Today's hearing is nothing more than a shakedown against the mayors of some of our nation's biggest cities," she says.
— Caitlyn Kim
10:55 a.m. — The hearing is back
10:44 a.m. — Alabama representative invokes 'obstruction of justice'
Rep. Gary Palmer of Alabama mentions the supremacy clause, where federal laws have supremacy over state and local laws.
He’s arguing that these mayors and cities have broken the law, saying they are protecting criminals — since, in his argument, crossing the border illegally is a felony. (That's only true for a repeat offense.)
On the one hand, it’s strange hearing a Republican not pushing for states' rights. But on the other hand, Republicans have taken a very hard line against immigration.
Palmer is the first Republican to say these mayors should be investigated for allegedly breaking the law, calling it "obstruction of justice."
— Caitlyn Kim
10:41 a.m. — Louisiana congressman brings up Johnston saying he was 'not afraid of' going to jail
Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana says all the mayors are sanctuary city mayors, and he makes the most explicit threat yet: "We've had enough. America's fed up with this betrayal of oath, and one of you said you're willing to go to jail. We might give you that opportunity."
He's referencing Mayor Johnston's previous statement that he was willing to be jailed to stand up for the city's policies.
"Yeah, I'm not afraid of that, and I'm also not seeking that," Johnston told 9News in November. "I think the goal is we want to be able to negotiate with reasonable people how to solve hard problems."
Johnston previously caught Republicans' attention when, in an interview with Denverite, he conjured an image of Denver police and residents lined up at the county line to block immigration agents.
— Caitlyn Kim and Kyle Harris
10:35 a.m. — More Colorado Republicans are coming
The first of the three Colorado Republicans waived on for today's hearing has entered the hearing room: CO-03 Rep. Jeff Hurd. He's arrived right before the committee is about to have a break so Mayor Wu can take care of her newborn.
In case this bit of congressional jargon is new to you, "waived on" is the term for allowing a member of Congress who doesn't have a seat on a committee sit in on and ask questions during a specific hearing.
— Caitlyn Kim
10:33 a.m. — The committee taking a 15-20 minute recess
10:25 a.m. — What's that CATO Institute guy doing at the witness table?
Someone finally mentioned the minority witness at this hearing — or at least where the minority witness works: the CATO Institute.
During a hearing, the majority invites all but one of the witnesses. The minority usually uses their single slot to bring in someone to support their point of view.
At this hearing, the mayors are the majority witnesses and all the questions have been to them at this point. Democrats brought in David Bier, director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute. That's a bit surprising, since Cato is considered a conservative/libertarian think tank.
However, Cato has also been supportive of immigration and its benefits, including helping reduce the crime rate given that immigrants statistically commit fewer crimes than native-born Americans. His data is being used to rebut the efforts by Republicans to highlight crimes caused by undocumented immigrants.
— Caitlyn Kim
10:23 a.m. — A closer look: The immigrants who sheltered in Denver were released into the county by Border Patrol
A lot of the discussion this morning is about "illegal" immigration, and whether mayors like Johnston are spending public resources on people who already broke the law by entering the country.
It's worth noting that the 40,000-plus immigrants who sheltered in Denver under Johnston's administration were all released into the country by Border Patrol.
In 2023, President Joe Biden's administration announced the federal government would only reimburse cities for sheltering immigrants who had made contact with authorities — and not those who had crossed the border completely unnoticed by authorities. Immigration advocates bristled at the idea, but the policy was understood then to be a protection from a future federal crackdown.
Though congressional members repeatedly claimed that cities like Denver were incentivizing immigration and serving "illegal" immigrants, many new arrivals are on pathways to asylum, which is a status that can be granted to people seeking refuge from persecution, instability or violence in their home countries.
One legal way to access those protections is to cross into the country, find Border Patrol and ask for help. It's been that way since the 1950s, after the U.S. had turned away boats filled with Jewish refugees who later died in concentration camps.
— Kevin Beaty
10:17 a.m. — Texas lawmaker pursues the cost of new immigrants to taxpayers
Republican Rep. Michael Cloud of Texas notes “this is a nation immigrants,” but not illegal immigration. He argues that this used to be a bipartisan issue and asks why the Left now opposes deportation policies that were also used the Obama administration.
Cloud attributes the current opposition to “Trump derangement syndrome.”
Cloud claims new immigrants chose to come to Denver when they were bused to the city by Texas.
“They were sent to your city because of your claim to be a sanctuary city,” Cloud says.
He recalls seeing immigrants pointing to a map about where they wanted to go in the country. People chose Denver, he said, because of the city’s policies.
Cloud questions all four mayors about how many FEMA dollars were spent on hotels in their cities to support immigrants. Johnston doesn't know so Cloud tells him it's $32 million. This line of questioning gets to the heart of another issue Republicans are focused on — the cost of new immigrants to American taxpayers.
“Do you recognize it’s against the law to harbor criminal aliens?” Cloud asks.
Johnston said he recognizes that law and that his city does not do that.
— Kyle Harris and Caitlyn Kim
10:15 a.m. — A closer look at Jim Jordan's questioning
We keep going back to the back-and-forth between Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Mayor Mike Johnston. Jordan, a former wrestler and pugnacious questioner, was really trying to pin down Johnston on Denver’s cooperation or lack thereof with federal immigration enforcement.
The focus was how Denver handled the release of a man named Abraham Gonzalez from jail in Denver.
Jordan’s questioning, in CPR reporter Caitlyn Kim's opinion, has been the strongest thus far on the Republican side. Jordan hammered Johnston on how little time ICE got, constantly repeating Gonzalez was a criminal and that ICE only got one hour’s notice.
Six ICE agents came and picked him up in the jail parking lot. Jordan said one of the ICE agents was assaulted — largely because Gonzalez was released to the street instead of the agents being able to pick him up inside the jail.
Jordan dissected Johnston’s words — did he release Gonzalez to the street or to ICE?
Johnston defended himself and city policy, at one point asking, “Would you like me to answer?” And he was prepared for the question, showing he was familiar with the case and pushing back on Johnston’s assertions.
“There were six ICE agents present when he was released, so they had enough time to respond and to be present,” he said. Johnston said it was only the first of such incidents among hundreds of releases over the years.
“No, sir, I disagree with you,” Johnston said at one point as Jordan pushed on the “sanctuary” question.
But Jordan never really gave him time. Instead he continued to spin the narrative — and getting to the heart of the issue Republicans want to focus on: safety. Jordan kept coming back to the question of why the city wouldn’t simply make the handover in the jail.
“That is how stupid sanctuary polices are,” Jordan said.
Johnston said he was willing to make adjustments.
“I've seen the video. I've reached out [to ICE] and … if we need to make adjustments to what we do on releases, we'll do that,” he said.
— Caitlyn Kim and Andrew Kenney
10:03 a.m. — Chair James Comer claims no one 'is calling for mass deportations'
In an exchange with Mayor Wu, Chair Comer says, "I don't think anybody is calling for mass deportations."
The statement is met with some audible gasps on the Democratic side.
President Donald Trump has promised mass deportations, most recently in his address to Congress last night when he urged lawmakers to fund his plan to "complete the largest deportation operation in American history."
— Caitlyn Kim
9:59 a.m. — 'I do believe we should have an immigration law'
GOP Rep. Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin argues cities aren’t tracking the immigration status of inmates, and there’s no way to know how many immigrants are committing crimes.
“Do you believe the United States should have an immigration law, or do you believe anybody should be able to show up and come in,” Grothman asks.
“I do believe we should have an immigration law,” Johnston said. “I do believe we should have secure borders. I do believe we should fix our asylum process.”
— Caitlyn Kim
9:47 a.m. — Democrats continue to cite federal vs. local distinctions
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California raised the question of federal overreach and noted how Republicans traditionally prefer local control. He cited mask mandates as an example. At stake is a question of federalism: How much power should the federal government have to dictate local policy, and how much power should be left to cities and states.
“If we set this precedent that we want cities to be enforcing every federal mandate, then what happens when there's a new Democratic president that comes and says, ‘We want a mask mandate’ that the Republicans may not want?” he said.
Local police should focus on local priorities, and that used to be the conservative Republican principle.
— Kyle Harris
9:41 a.m. — Questioning of what makes a sanctuary city continues
Rep. Scott Perry asks whether Denver is a sanctuary city.
Mayor Mike Johnston says his is a “welcoming city,” but he resists defining Denver as a “sanctuary city” by the definition that the city is shielding people from federal law. Instead, he notes Denver offers access to services.
Perry asks how “illegal immigrants” are vetted. Johnston says Denver does not vet anyone who comes to town — including people from California and Illinois arriving at DIA — but prosecutes people if they break the law.
Perry asks what if they break the law.
"If they've already broken the law and there is another jurisdiction that has a warrant for that person, they let us know that, and we would cooperate them to that jurisdiction," responds Johnston.
Perry quips based on what we saw during Jordan's questioning that's not the case.
— Kyle Harris and Caitlyn Kim
9:36 a.m. — The price of eggs has made an appearance!
Democrats have taken up this mantle as Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi asks questions about the issue of affordability as a key priority for people in the cities of New York, Boston, Denver and Chicago, as opposed to what Republicans are focusing on in this hearing.
Krishnamoorthi then asks the president, if he's watching, how expensive eggs will have to get before he'll issue an executive order on bird flu.
This was an issue Republicans pushed on during the Biden Administration, and one that Democrats now clearly see as a winning angle.
— Caitlyn Kim
9:30 a.m. — Wu gets applause
Boston Mayor Wu pushes back saying the narrative Republicans are hitting over and over — that immigrants are causing all this crime and making us unsafe — is just false.
She says, if Congress wants to make cities safe, pass gun control, don't cut Medicaid, stop cutting funding for veterans, "That would make our cities safe."
It got muted (because under the rules of decorum it has to be muted) applause from Democrats in the committee.
— Caitlyn Kim
9:29 a.m. — Gosar incorrectly suggests new immigrants were staying in luxury hotels
Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona blasts Mayor Mike Johnston for putting new immigrants up in a “luxury hotel.”
The hotels Denver put people in were not luxury hotels. They were overcrowded, and residents complained about the living conditions to Denverite.
“How can you establish trust from the very beginning when you have a false narrative here,” Gosar asked. "You're defending folks who have broken the law.”
He did not give Johnston a chance to answer.
— Kyle Harris
9:24 a.m. — More details on Abraham Gonzalez, the Venezuelan immigrant who Rep. Jim Jordan grilled Mike Johnston about.
Gonzalez was arrested on multiple crimes, including stealing a car and assaulting someone. ICE requested to hold him on a detainer.
The city gave ICE a one-hour notice of release, according to Jordan. Six ICE agents came and picked him up in the jail parking lot. Jordan said one of the ICE agents was assaulted – largely because Gonzalez was released to the street instead of the agents being able to pick him up inside the jail.
Johnston asserted the city coordinated the release and he called ICE afterward. Jordan said that by not letting ICE take Gonzalez in the jail the ICE officer was assaulted. And he described this as "how stupid sanctuary cities are."
Video of the incident, provided by the Mayor's Office, is here:
— Kyle Harris
9:24 a.m. — Name game
Having a Mayor Johnson and a Mayor Johnston in this hearing is providing some moments of light levity in this hearing. I imagine Johnston wishes more questions were directed to Johnson.
— Caitlyn Kim
9:19 a.m. — Jim Jordan targets Mike Johnston
Mayor Mike Johnston is facing the brunt of the questions thus far. Rep. Jim Jordan is focused on ICE arrest of Abraham Gonzalez, a suspected member of the Tren de Aragua gang. Denver authorities, Jordan claims, only gave ICE an hour's notice of Gonzalez' release. When agents later arrested him in a parking lot, one was injured in the ensuing struggle.
Johnston stresses this was the first time something went wrong in 1,226 releases involving an ICE detainer, and that he has reached out to ICE about what happened.
Jordan hammers Johnston on the idea of keeping his community safe. As the questioning continues, Democrats again yell, "Time."
After that testy exchange, Jordan exits the hearing room. Usually members leave after asking their questions. Boebert has also left, heading outside the hearing room where lots of reporters are also waiting.
— Caitlyn Kim
9:11 a.m. — More observations from inside the hearing room:
There are a number of firebrand conservative and progressive members on the Oversight committee. On the right you have Rep. Boebert, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio to name a few, on the left you have Reps. Maxwell Frost of Florida, Rep Jasmine Crockett of Texas and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Expect some viral moments.
In his questions, Democratic Ranking Member Connolly is giving time for mayors to answer question and talk on issues they want, like crime going down. Expect this pattern — Republicans on attack, Democrats giving time for the next 3-4 hours.
In her remarks, Boebert goes over time and Democrats shout "time." No real viral moment for Boebert, and it seemed like she and Johnston were talking past each other, especially when it came to detainers.
She wanted to know what happens before federal agents have a warrant, while Johnston says they do honor warrants and work with federal law enforcement. Johnston got more time to answer questions from the delegate Eleanor Norton Holmes.
— Caitlyn Kim
9:06 a.m. — Boebert grills Johnston
Rep. Lauren Boebert starts asking Johnston questions, pointing out Johnston “blamed state law” for not honoring immigrant detainers issued by ICE. She asks if he will join her in calling on Gov. Jared Polis and the state to repeal detainer laws. He says he did not want to do that.
He points out that Denver has honored detainer requests on a federal warrant more than a thousand times over recent years.
"There are issues before warrants are issued," Boebert insists multiple times.
Her questioning continues at a rapid clip.
“In 2017, Denver passed an ordinance that ensured any city employee who spoke with federal immigration authorities be fired, among other policies that have led to local and national media outlets to call Denver a sanctuary city,” Boebert asked. “So now let me ask you, would a city employee be fired or communicating with anyone from the EPA?”
She runs through a number of federal agencies to argue that city employees will only be fired for communicating with ICE.
“We are in communication with ICE right now,” Johnston says.
Boebert asks him to repeal the ordinance. He says there was no need for that.
— Kyle Harris
8:58 a.m. — 'There is no one seeking hell to come to Denver'
Democratic Rep. Connolly questioning the mayors now. He notes Trump immigration czar Tom Homan wants to bring hell to cities like Denver.
"There is no one seeking hell to come to Denver," Johnston responds.
"I would argue the premise of this hearing is false. We have local leaders working with law enforcement and it's bringing down crime," Connolly said. "The idea that these are sanctuary cities that need to be punished is simply a war on urban America."
Bier, of the CATO Institute, said the data shows more immigrants mean lower homicide rates, and that holds true nationally.
— Kyle Harris
8:51 a.m. — This could be a long day
There are 60 members of Congress who could potentially ask questions. Comer is asking people to be mindful of time.
If each uses their maximum allotment of speaking time, this could go for 300 minutes.
Comer begins by saying he has a yes or no question for each mayor: Is their city a sanctuary city?
When it's Johnston's turn, Johnston tries to explain Denver's policies. Comer interrupts and says he takes it as an answer of yes.
— Kyle Harris
8:48 a.m. — One of Johnston's examples of immigrants contributing to the city
During the course of remarks, Johnston told the story of an immigrant, Julian Becerra, who came to Colorado and served in the Air Force before joining the Fountain Police Department.
In 2023, Becerra died on the job while pursuing a carjacking suspect. The mayor cited him as an example of what immigrants contribute to their communities.
— Kyle Harris
8:47 a.m. — Crime is a focus for all mayors and CATO Institute expert
All the mayors talked about recent drops in crime in their communities and how the cities immigration policies keep their cities safer by building trust with law enforcement.
“This administration’s policy is undermining that trust,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said.
“We are the safest major city in the nation,” Wu said. “We are home to the greatest health care, the greatest colleges and universities, the most advanced innovators and the 2024 World Champion Boston Celtics. We are the cradle of democracy in the city of champions. We are all of these things, not in spite of our immigrants, but because of them.”
“We are the safest major city in the nation because we are safe for everyone,” Wu said.
Both mayors Johnson and Adams talked about collaborating with the federal government. Mayor Johnston, less so.
David Bier, researcher with the CATO Institute, testified as well.
“Liberty must be protected over intrusive government and from private violence,” he said. “Unfortunately, the President’s chaotic indiscriminate deportation plan does the opposite. It harms public safety, threatens American rights and undermines successful integration of America’s immigrants into its society and economy.”
He pointed to research showing immigrants — including “illegal immigrants” — commit less crime than citizens.
— Kyle Harris
8:37 a.m. — More from Johnston's remarks:
"When buses started showing up filled with migrants, some in my city were afraid, just like I'm sure some of your constituents were afraid,” Mike Johnston told the committee. “They were afraid about crime and homelessness and worried about what these new people might take away from them. I understand that fear, and the truth is people who are new to this country do good and bad."
But as the buses kept coming: “Denver made a choice as a city, not to hate each other, but to help each other, not to turn on each other, but to turn to each other and see if together, we could solve a problem that felt bigger than any one of us, and that's what we did.”
He acknowledged the process wasn’t perfect and required sacrifice, but that Denver came out stronger than before.
“Americans expect us to do more than point fingers,” Johnston said. “They expect us to solve problems. So if Denver can decide to put aside our ideological differences long enough to manage a crisis we didn't choose or create, it seems only fair to ask that the body that is actually charged with solving this national problem, this Congress, can finally commit to do the same.”
Johnston closes his remarks by putting the onus on Congress, saying: "If Denver can find a way to put aside ideological differences long enough to manage a crisis we didn't shoose or create, it seems only fair to ask that the body actually charged with solving this national problem, this Congress, can finally do the same."
Congress has been unable to get to pass immigration reform for decades.
— Kyle Harris
8:32 a.m. — Johnston says crime is down. Data supports that.
“Migrants did not bring a wave of crime to Denver,” Johnston said. “In fact, crime went down.”
Watching from behind her desk, Rep. Boebert looks skeptical at Johnston's assertion.
For some context: Violent crime spiked in Denver and many other cities in 2020. But since last year, Denver has seen a 23 percent drop in shootings and a 29 percent drop in homicides involving firearms, according to the mayor’s office.
Crime is down in almost all categories, including violent crime, since 2022, according to the Denver Police Department’s dashboard.
— Kyle Harris and Caitlyn Kim
8:28 a.m. — Mike Johnston makes his opening statement
Mayor Mike Johnston speaking now. He opens with Denver’s story — how buses of immigrants started arriving in sandals and t-shirts in 10 degree weather.
As a mayor, he had to figure out what to do. As a man of faith, “I have a moral obligation to care for those in need.”
— Kyle Harris
8:27 a.m. — Eric Adams says public safety is still a priority, and highlights immigrant contributions
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is the first to speak. He says public safety is a priority for the city, and that crime has been dropping over the past three months.
“To be clear, the sanctuary city classification does not mean our city will ever be a safe haven for violent criminals. It also does not give New York City the authority to bypass federal law,” said Adams.
He spoke about the contribution of immigrants to the city’s hospital and food industry.
“As mayor, I do not control who enters or remains in our country, but I do have to manage the population that is within our city in order,” Adams said, later adding, “I cannot have a city with parents afraid to send their children to school or where children are sleeping on the streets.”
Adams, a former cop, spoke about the damage that is done when people are afraid to speak to the police.
— Kyle Harris
8:26 a.m. — What will Boebert say?
Rep. Boebert is expected to focus on a couple of issues during her questioning, such as trying to get Johnston to take responsibility for crimes that have occurred across the border in Aurora, according to a source with knowledge of her plan.
She, Evans and Crank have called on Gov. Polis to repeal so-called "sanctuary state laws." Her goal will be to try to get Johnston on the record on repeals. She will also question him about not repealing Denver immigration policies passed during former Mayor Mike Hancock's tenure.
And she's expected to challenge the playbook his administration developed for integrating migrants, something Johnston has touted. I imagine it will be a feisty exchange.
— Caitlyn kim
8:23 a.m. — The Democratic opening remarks, an emphasis on city sovereignty
In his opening remarks, Democratic Rep. Gerald Connolly, the ranking member of the committee, argues the committee’s investigation is about getting cities to conform to what he describes as the Trump administration’s radical immigration policies.
“Let's be clear, the state and local laws that Republicans have issue with today are in full compliance with federal law,” he said. “They do not obstruct ICE from carrying out its duty.”
You can learn more about some of Colorado's laws around immigration here.
Connolly argued local police are best focused on enforcing criminal laws instead of taking on a federal function.
He took a line you might hear from conservatives in other situations, arguing that states and cities should have sovereignty and independence from the federal government.
— Kyle Harris
8:21 a.m. — The mayors are sworn in. Mayor Eric Adams of New York will speak first. Both mayors and committee members will be limited to five minutes each.
8:18 a.m. — In opening remarks, Republicans threaten federal funding over 'sanctuary' city policies
The Hearing on Oversight and Government Reform investigation into “sanctuary cities” has begun.
In his opening remarks, Republican Rep. James Comer, the committee’s chair, blames the immigration crisis on President Joe Biden, and said Congress should not allow a "single penny in federal funding" to go to these cities.
“The border crisis was not the result of climate change, a lack of resources or a failure to grant amnesty,” he said. “It was the result of the last administration's deliberate choice.”
Here’s how Comer defined sanctuary cities this week: “Sanctuary policies violate federal immigration law by protecting criminal aliens at the expense of the American people. Sanctuary cities and states refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts.”
The result, he said, is that cities are less safe and federal immigration police are put in danger, because cities won’t hold inmates on immigration detainers.
— Kyle Harris
8:14 a.m. — Not a packed room
I'm a little surprised that more lawmakers aren't in the room at the start of this hearing, given how much Republicans have spoken about it and the committee even made a trailer for it.
As the chair and ranking member give their opening remarks, there are still plenty of empty seats on both sides of the aisle, but more on the Democratic side than the Republican side.
Rep. Lauren Boebert, a member of the committee, is expected to be up first in questioning.
Two other Colorado Republicans who don't sit on the committee — Reps. Gabe Evans, Jeff Crank and Jeff Hurd — both got waved on to ask questions of the mayors.
Most likely their questions will be directed at Denver Mayor Johnston.
8:03 a.m. — We're officially gavelled in
You can watch live here.
7:58 a.m. — What we're seeing in the room
Staffers are bringing in lots of "floor charts," posters that lawmakers use to make their point. So expect to see a lot of those as lawmakers' questioning begins.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has arrived carrying her newborn daughter. She and Denver Rep. Diana DeGette greeted each other.
DeGette is not a member of the committee, but it looks like she's here to support Johnston. It was reported that Johnston asked DeGette and Sen. Michael Bennet for advice on testifying in front of Congress.
7:48 a.m. — And yes, he's wearing the sheepskin jacket
7:46 a.m. — The mayor is in the building
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has arrived at the Capitol for the Oversight hearing on sanctuary city policies. He told CPR News he's feeling good. But that's before the expected grilling begins. GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert is expected to be one of the first questioners on the Republican side and she has been incredibly critical of sanctuary city policies.
Johnston did not address a waiting throng of reporters. So far the only mayor to speak was New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
7:31 a.m. — Back in Denver, people rallied for Denver's immigration policies
Yesterday, dozens of people gathered on the City and County Building steps to read a petition written to Mayor Mike Johnston ahead of his appearance in Washington. The document had garnered over 2,000 signatures.
"We are writing to show our support for welcoming policies as you are called to testify in Congress," Miriam Mata, an organizer with the Colorado Immigrants Rights Coalition read to the crowd. "Mayor Johnston, as you represent our city, know that Denverites will stand with you in defending our welcoming policies. We must not allow outside forces to turn our city into a pipeline for family separation."
American Friends Service Committee organizer Jennifer Piper said the whole city will be paying attention.
"We trust that our mayor will stand as strong as each one of you. And we'll be watching tomorrow, we'll be watching at our office, we'll be watching across Denver," Piper said. "We want the mayor to know we're with him and we want his voice to reflect our voice."
The document and rally carried a positive tone and backed the Johnston. But speakers made clear they were putting him on notice to avoid folding to pressure from President Trump's administration.
"Let me tell you right now: Folks that are in office, the name tag does not come with a backbone. The name tag does not mean that you're going to stand for the right thing when it actually matters," Tim Hernández, an activist and one-time state legislator, told the crowd. "I hope when it matters tomorrow on national television that we can be proud that we have a mayor in Denver who stood lockstep with us and with our immigrant communities."
A smaller group headed inside after the remarks were over to hand a copy of the petition to members of his staff. Johnston had already departed for D.C.
— Kevin Beaty
7 a.m. — So why is Mike Johnston in D.C. anyway?
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has summoned Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and mayors Michelle Wu of Boston, Brandon Johnson of Chicago and Eric Adams of New York to testify in an investigation into sanctuary jurisdictions.
The mayors will have five minutes each to testify about their cities’ immigration enforcement policies and otherwise will be grilled by the Republican-majority committee.
The committee hopes to make a case that these cities should lose federal grants. The committee could also recommend the Department of Justice investigate the cities for obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
The mayors will testify under oath, and if they fail to speak the truth or outright lie, that could be used as evidence in criminal or civil court cases.
— Kyle Harris
