BOSTON (WHDH) - A new video released from a U.S. House committee called out Boston Mayor Michelle Wu ahead of her planned trip to Congress to testify on the city’s status as the Trump administration pushes for more immigration enforcement.
The GOP Oversight Committee released what could be described as a “hype video” ahead of a high-stakes hearing on Capitol Hill next week.
Wu, along with mayors from New York, Chicago, and Denver have been called to testify about their sanctuary city policies, which limit cooperation with federal authorities when it comes to undocumented immigrants.
The committee said the mayors will be held publicly accountable, accusing them of implementing “reckless, illegal policies that shield criminal aliens from federal immigration enforcement and endanger public safety.”
Wu, who is preparing for the hearing, called that notion a false narrative while visiting a resource center for immigrants and undocumented families in Chelsea Wednesday.
“When people who say we’re going to come after sanctuary cities because they’re unsafe, who say they are going come after immigrants because there’s connection to crime, the incidents of taking part in crimes is lower in immigrant communities, so that’s not even a real threat,” Wu said.
Wu explained how the police department operates when it comes to immigrants.
“We don’t work with the federal government on immigration issues, we don’t deport,” Wu said. “However, if you commit a crime in the community, if you cause harm in the community, you will be held accountable regardless of your immigration status as well.”
Wu said she hopes to show Congress and D.C. that Boston policies are working.
“I’m there to represent the people of Boston and to defend all that we’re doing here that has been working, and makes us the example of how to truly create safety and community. We need everyone to feel safe calling 911 when they need help or reporting a crime, or reaching out for services when their child or their family member or elderly parent needs it,” she said. “That is how everyone in our community is connected and we have the numbers to back it up.”
“My goal is to show that cities that are welcoming to everyone actually are cities that are safest,” Wu said.
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