Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) is pushing for criminal investigations into Democratic mayors of sanctuary cities, accusing them of violating federal immigration law. Her referrals to the Department of Justice (DOJ) are based on statements made during a recent congressional hearing.
Key Facts:
- Rep. Luna referred multiple sanctuary city mayors to the DOJ for allegedly violating Title 8, U.S. Code § 1324, which prohibits harboring illegal immigrants.
- Mayors from New York City, Chicago, Denver, and Boston defended their sanctuary policies during a House Oversight Committee hearing.
- Luna argued these policies harm both American citizens and migrants, calling for accountability.
- The criminal referrals are not legally binding, and the DOJ is not required to take action.
- Sanctuary city mayors pushed back, arguing their policies promote public safety by encouraging cooperation with law enforcement.
The Rest of The Story:
During a heated congressional hearing, Democratic mayors of major sanctuary cities defended their policies against sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers.
Luna, citing federal law, claimed these leaders were actively breaking the law by shielding illegal immigrants.
She then announced her referral of these mayors to the DOJ for criminal prosecution.
The mayors, including New York’s Eric Adams and Chicago’s Brandon Johnson, countered that their policies were essential for keeping cities safe.
They argued that when immigrants feel protected, they are more likely to report crimes and engage with law enforcement.
Republicans, however, accused them of creating a magnet for illegal immigration at the expense of American citizens.
ANNA PAULINA LUNA SENDS CRIMINAL REFERRALS TO PAM BONDI ON ALL 4 SANCTUARY CITY MAYORS WHO TESTIFIED TODAY.pic.twitter.com/s3uo8BFwoh
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) March 5, 2025
Commentary:
The idea of prosecuting sanctuary city mayors is long overdue.
These leaders have openly defied federal immigration laws, prioritizing illegal immigrants over the safety and well-being of their own citizens.
If regular Americans were caught harboring illegal immigrants, they would face prosecution—so why should politicians be exempt?
Luna’s move to hold these mayors accountable is entirely justified.
That said, the reality is that the DOJ under the current administration is unlikely to take meaningful action.
The referrals are symbolic and won’t carry the weight of a full congressional vote.
Without real consequences, these mayors will continue their lawless policies with impunity.
The best course of action would be to cut off all federal funding to sanctuary cities.
Let the voters in these cities deal with the direct consequences of their leaders’ decisions.
If they want to turn their cities into havens for illegal immigration, they should foot the bill themselves, rather than relying on federal tax dollars.
Until real enforcement mechanisms are put in place, this problem will persist.
Americans who value law and order should demand that Congress stop funding cities that refuse to uphold federal immigration laws.
The Bottom Line:
Rep. Luna’s criminal referrals send a strong message, but they are unlikely to result in actual prosecutions.
Sanctuary city policies continue to undermine federal immigration laws, with local leaders facing no real consequences.
The best response would be to cut off their funding and let the voters experience the true cost of their policies.
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