Denver Mayor Grilled Over Sanctuary City Policies in Heated Congressional Hearing

DENVER, Colo. – Denver Mayor Mike Johnston faced intense scrutiny Wednesday during a House Oversight Committee hearing regarding the city’s sanctuary policies. Republican lawmakers accused him and three other mayors of jeopardizing public safety by providing safe harbor for illegal immigrants and violent gangs.

The committee, led by Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Colorado Republican, aimed to address concerns that sanctuary city laws have led to an influx of criminal activity in urban areas. During the session, Johnston defended Denver’s approach, asserting, “We don’t use that definition” when asked about the sanctuary designation.

As discussions grew heated, Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania pressed Johnston on the criteria used for welcoming immigrants into the city. Perry asked, “So you’re welcoming criminals that you don’t have any idea of what their crime background is?” Johnston countered, stating, “No. We aggressively pursue violent criminals.” This exchange highlighted the ongoing debate over how sanctuary policies impact law enforcement and community safety.

The discussion also focused on the presence of the Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang that has reportedly targeted Denver due to perceived weaknesses in immigration enforcement. Rep. Gabe Evans emphasized the detrimental effects of these gangs on local safety, attributing a lack of resources to the city’s sanctuary policies. “Local hospitals have taken a hit, Denver schools are overwhelmed,” Evans said. “Colorado is the third most dangerous state.”

In an alarming incident highlighted during the hearing, an ICE agent pursued a TdA gang member who had recently been released from jail under Denver’s policies. The gang member allegedly assaulted an agent while being taken into custody. Following the incident, Johnston expressed his willingness to collaborate with ICE to improve procedures moving forward.

Johnston’s proposed budget for the upcoming year includes $45 million aimed at addressing the influx of immigrants, despite resulting in over $8 million in cuts to the police department. A spokesperson for Johnston maintained that the cuts were necessary and that public safety would not be compromised.

Despite ongoing budget cuts, Johnston insisted that Denver’s crime rates are on the decline and refuted claims that the city’s policies were to blame for rising crime. “We actually are seeing dramatic drops in the arrivals since June of 2024,” he stated. His remarks were met with skepticism from committee members, who cited increased gang activity as a direct consequence of sanctuary policies.

The scrutiny from federal lawmakers echoes the tensions surrounding immigration reform in the U.S. Under the Trump administration, a crackdown on illegal immigration began, intensifying the debate on sanctuary cities. Johnston previously pledged to defy Trump’s immigration reforms, indicating that he would not allow federal agents to target illegal immigrants within Denver.

As the hearing concluded, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, another Republican member of Congress, announced she would refer the sanctuary city mayors to the Department of Justice for potential criminal investigations, stating, “Open borders ideologies hurt people on both sides.” The claim reflects ongoing national controversies surrounding immigration policy enforcement.

Through extended questioning, Johnston and the other mayors defended their policies, claiming that a welcoming environment ultimately strengthens communities. Nonetheless, the hearing evidences a continuing divide between local governance approaches and federal immigration enforcement efforts.