This week, Florida Rep. Byron Donalds (R) pressed sanctuary city mayors on how much they are paying to protect illegal migrants — and Donalds didn’t like what he heard.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu appeared before the House Oversight Committee this week.
“How much did your city spend on illegal immigration? Do you have a round number?” Donalds asked Johnston.
Johnston said Denver spent about $79 million since 2022 “on all newcomers,” regardless of their immigration status.
Donalds then asked Johnson the same question.
“If you’re referring to the 2022 up to 2024 of the buses coming from Texas, roughly the same percentage of the state of Texas,” the Chicago mayor answered. “About 1% of our overall budget.”
Donalds asked for a more specific number — Johnson didn’t have one.
“That’s why you’re a failing mayor,” Donalds said.
“Mayor Johnson, I already asked you. You don’t have a hard number,” the congressman added. “And if you don’t have a hard number, you’re not running your city well.”
Mayor Adams said New York City spent $6.9 billion on illegal immigration.
Donalds’ most explosive exchange was reserved for Mayor Wu, who had no idea how much Boston had spent on illegal immigration.
Wu told Donalds her city doesn’t “ask about immigration status.”
“Are you out of your mind?” Donalds asked in response. “So to the city of Boston, just understand that your mayor does not care how much of your resources she has spent on people who are not citizens of the city of Boston,” Donalds said.
Watch the moment below:
Biden-Harris facilitated an illegal alien invasion of our country and Sanctuary Cities have only MADE IT WORSE.
❌NYC spent $6.9 BILLION on illegals
❌Denver spent $79 MILLION on illegals
❌Chicago spent 1% of its budget on illegals
❌Boston HAS NO IDEATO THE CITY OF BOSTON:… pic.twitter.com/FCTQbXBIvb
— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) March 5, 2025
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