Boston Mayor Wu rejects federal push on sanctuary city cooperation

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu publicly rejected a federal insistence that sanctuary jurisdictions fully cooperate with immigration enforcement, saying the city would not back down from its policies and warning that threats to withhold funding or sue over sanctuary rules amount to political interference in local governance. Speaking outside City Hall, Wu framed Boston as a law-abiding city that is committed to public safety and inclusivity, while criticizing the Trump-era approach as dangerous and divisive.

The exchange centers on letters sent by Attorney General Pam Bondi to 32 governors and mayors identified as having sanctuary policies. The documents demanded a detailed plan showing how each jurisdiction would align with federal immigration enforcement and warned that noncompliance could trigger civil suits and the loss of federal funds. Wu’s response, delivered in a press conference packed with supporters and community leaders, was blunt: “Stop attacking our cities to hide your administrations failures. Unlike the Trump administration, Boston follows the law,” she said, adding that the city would not succumb to political pressure.

Wu reminded listeners of Boston’s long-standing...