Wu was one of four Democratic mayors called before the committee. The three others — Eric Adams of New York City, Brandon Johnson of Chicago, and Mike Johnston of Denver — chose not to give the yes or no answer requested by Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina when she asked, “Is breaking into our country against the law?”

If you want to make us safe, pass gun reforms, stop cutting Medicaid, stop cutting cancer research, stop cutting funds for veterans. That is what will make our city safe.”

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu firmly defended the city’s immigration and law enforcement policies at a six-hour-long congressional hearing in Washington March 5, where she faced questions from Republican lawmakers on Boston’s immigrant population and cooperation with federal immigration officers.