United States Attorney General Pam Bondi and one of Boston’s leading immigration officials threatened more funding cuts and stepped-up enforcement in the city following Mayor Michelle Wu’s fiery defense of local policies.
The mayor told a crowd of hundreds on Tuesday that the city will not comply with the federal government’s recent demands to align the city’s immigration enforcement policies with the Trump administration’s position.
Speaking on a Fox Business show hosted by Larry Kudlow Wednesday, Bondi said communities that don’t work more closely with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement will face consequences.
“If they don’t comply with us, Larry, we’re gonna work with our other agencies to cut off their federal funding,” she said. “We are going to send in law enforcement. Just like we did during the LA riots, just like we’re doing here in Washington, D.C.”
Last week, Bondi said that she sent letters to leaders of 32 cities and states, warning them that if they don’t eliminate laws and practices that limit cooperation with ICE, they risk federal investigations, legal action and financial sanctions. The list includes New York City, Denver, Chicago, and others.
Wu framed the federal government as bullies, saying Boston would not back down from its principles.
“Over the last several months, we’ve watched Donald Trump send the National Guard into LA and D.C. to stoke fear and disorder. Boston stands with these cities as they sue over his abuse of power,” she said Tuesday. “We have reviewed those cases and we are prepared to stand up for our city’s rights if we need to.”
In an appearance on Fox News Wednesday morning, Boston’s acting ICE director Patricia Hyde also challenged Wu’s defiance.
“ As far as, you know, the city of Boston and Mayor Wu not backing down, the men and women of ICE are not backing down,” she said.
Hyde criticized the city’s 11-year-old policy to assist ICE and other federal law enforcement only in criminal arrests, calling it a “sanctuary policy.” The city’s Trust Act prohibits local police from helping ICE detain people solely for their immigration status. To Hyde, that policy is unacceptable.
“This is a public safety crisis,” she said. “Sanctuary policies don’t make cities safer. It’s common sense: If you’re here illegally, you’ve already shown a predisposition to not respect the laws of the country and when you’re here and you commit a crime, you should be turned over to ICE.”
But Wu insists Boston is the safest major city in America. Last year, the city banger a 67-year low in homicides; the number of murders appears to be ticking up in 2025, but violent crime and property crime are both down.
Speaking on “Java with Jimmy” Wednesday morning, she said that’s partly because of the city’s relationship with immigrants, and that it’s inaccurate to say that Boston offers so-called “sanctuary” to criminals.
“ When MAGA world use the term ‘sanctuary city’ they mean this is a ‘sanctuary for criminals and you’re not prosecuting people.’ That is completely false,” she said. “Whenever there’s a criminal warrant because the court has heard and decided that there is probable cause, then we go out and enforce it, no matter what agency that’s coming from.”
As she runs for reelection, Wu is ramping up her opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown — and she’s banking on support from the courts and the people of Boston. At the same time, she risks more retribution from an administration that is not shying away from this fight.
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