House Republican refers Boston Mayor Wu to feds for criminal probe into sanctuary policies. Florida congresswoman says Boston Trust Act may violate federal immigration law.
UPDATED: March 14, 2025
House Republican Anna Paulina Luna formally recommended that the Department of Justice open an investigation into Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, saying that her enforcement of the city’s sanctuary policies may violate federal immigration law.
Luna, a Florida congresswoman, announced at last week’s hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform that she would be “criminally referring” all four participating sanctuary mayors to the Department of Justice. Ultimately, she opted to refer three of the four for a criminal probe.
Wu, along with the mayors of Chicago and Denver, Brandon Johnson and Mike Johnston, were formally recommended for investigation. New York City Mayor Eric Adams was not, a spokesperson for Luna told the Herald Friday.
“I write to formally request an investigation into Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s enforcement of sanctuary city policies, specifically the Boston Trust Act, which may constitute violations of federal immigration law,” Luna wrote in a March 5 letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
“By limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities, the Boston Trust Act and Mayor Wu’s directives may be construed as attempts to harbor or shield unauthorized immigrants, potentially violating … federal statues,” Luna wrote.
Federal immigration law, Luna’s letter states, “prohibits concealing, harboring, or shielding unauthorized immigrants from detention,” and “criminalizes attempts to encourage or induce unauthorized immigration.”
Given the “potential conflicts between Boston’s sanctuary city policies and federal immigration laws,” Luna said, “I urge the Department of Justice to investigate whether Mayor Michelle Wu’s actions constitute violations.”
https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/03/14/house-republican-refers-boston-mayor-wu-to-feds-for-criminal-probe-into-sanctuary-policies/