Mayor Wu is asked to appear before congressional committee for probe of 'sanctuary cities'

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has been asked to testify before a congressional committee next month as part of an investigation into so-called "sanctuary cities."

A letter from Republican Rep. James Comer, of Kentucky, asks Wu to appear before his House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform next month, saying the committee is investigating sanctuary communities and whether they are preventing federal immigration agents from removing "dangerous criminals."

"These jurisdictions take it upon themselves to decide what laws they will and will not abide by all for the purpose of shielding removable aliens, especially criminals, from federal law enforcement," Comer wrote.

In the letter, he also asks for a slew of documents and emails "related to the city's sanctuary status."

The mayor, speaking to the press at City Hall Tuesday, said she's still reviewing the letter and "we will respond in due time." She said, "We're very proud of Boston's track record as the safest major city in the country."

Wu said she had not received a subpoena and declined to say if she'd respond if she does.

She said Boston follows the laws, including those preventing local law enforcement from turning over people to ICE solely for immigration violations: "We hold everyone accountable, regardless of immigration status, for any crimes or harm that's committed. And we also work very hard to ensure that there's full access to services regardless of immigration status."

The congressional committee asked Boston to provide documents about the city's declaration of 'sanctuary' status. In reality, Boston has a Trust Act, first established in 2014 under Mayor Marty Walsh. Boston city councilors in December passed a resolution reaffirming the city's policy not to turn people over to federal immigration authorities unless they are involved in serious crimes.

Moderates on the City Council appeared Tuesday to be walking back their support for the Trust Act — or at least looking to provide more clarity on the law. Councilor Ed Flynn said, "It's important that we develop a working relationship with federal officials ensuring public safety is our top priority."

Flynn told WBUR the council should better explain what "sanctuary" means in Boston: "I think residents do deserve a better explanation." He also said it was a "mistake" not engaging with Boston police when they passed the resolution.

"Having said that, it's not too late," Flynn said.

The letter from Comer claims that while there are hundreds of sanctuary jurisdictions across the country, Boston and the three other cities stand out in their "abject failure to comply with federal law." The other cities cited are Chicago, New York and Denver.

The letter says the cities the congressional panel is targeting "take it upon themselves to decide what laws they will and will not abide by all for the purpose of shielding removable aliens, especially criminals, from federal law enforcement."

That description is not accurate, according to many Massachusetts officials. The mayor, the governor and a number of city councilors have made public statements insisting that local law enforcement is permitted to cooperate with immigration actions with regard to immigrants who are here unlawfully and are charged with crimes.