Washington, DC - On March 5, 2025, Mayor Michelle Wu joined a panel of progressive mayors testifying before the House Oversight Committee in defense of their sanctuary city policies. Unlike her counterparts, Mayor Wu was unable to provide basic data on how many illegal immigrants have entered Boston over the past four years or how much taxpayer money is being spent on individuals who are in the country unlawfully. 

MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale blasted Wu’s lack of transparency, calling it a betrayal of Boston’s hardworking taxpayers.

“Mayor Wu’s refusal to disclose the financial burden her policies place on Boston residents is unacceptable,” said Carnevale. “Taxpayers deserve to know how much of their money is being diverted away from vital services from lifelong Bostonians to fund sanctuary city policies that encourage illegal immigration. Instead, Wu admitted that the city doesn’t even track how much is being spent on illegal immigrants.” 

During her testimony, Mayor Wu conceded that Boston does not ask about immigration status when distributing city resources. Carnevale called this a reckless approach that prevents residents from knowing how their tax dollars are allocated. 

“It is clear that a significant portion of Boston’s public resources could be going to illegal immigrants rather than longtime residents of Roxbury, Dorchester, and other struggling communities,” Carnevale continued. “Mayor Wu’s policy not to ask about legal status suggests either gross mismanagement or a deliberate attempt to shield the public from the truth.” 

Wu has repeatedly claimed that her sanctuary policies make Boston safer-a claim that collapses under the weight of reality. Carnevale pointed to the case of Wiseteguens Jean Quely Charles, a Haitian illegal immigrant and known member of a violent street gang, who racked up 17 criminal convictions, including multiple drug, weapons, and assault offenses. Protected by sanctuary policies, Charles remained in Boston, shielded from deportation-until ICE agents stepped in to remove him from the streets. 

“How can Mayor Wu continue to insist that these policies make Boston safer when they are the very reason criminals like Charles are drawn to our city in the first place?” Carnevale said. “It is only thanks to the brave men and women of ICE that a dangerous gang member was finally removed. Wu’s policies don’t protect Bostonians-they put them at risk.” 

Adding to the outrage, the City of Boston spent $650,000 preparing Mayor Wu for her testimony-raising further concerns about how much has already been spent trying to obscure the full financial impact of her policies.

“This is willful negligence,” said Carnevale. “If Wu’s administration doesn’t even know how much taxpayer money is being funneled towards illegal immigrants, how can they claim to be acting in the best interests of Boston residents? It’s time for transparency and accountability-not more excuses.”

Boston taxpayers deserve answers. The MassGOP will continue fighting for the truth and exposing the consequences of failed sanctuary city policies.