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.”

The mayors of four so-called “sanctuary cities” faced tough questions from lawmakers about their policies toward immigrants and how they work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday.

The Boston mayor usually doesn't seek the national spotlight, but she held her own when it shined on her Wednesday.

The leaders of Boston, New York, Chicago and Denver will appear before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Republicans accused the mayors of New York, Chicago, Denver and Boston of providing sanctuary to criminals, while Democrats pointed to falling crime rates and defended helping the needy.

Republicans put Democrats in the hot seat as they continue to try and win the messaging wars on immigration policy.

"Migrants did not bring a wave of crime to Denver." Mayors of several large cities defended their policies in front of the House Oversight Committee.

Republican congressman James Comer says so-called sanctuary city policies are a nightmare that make American cities more dangerous, as he opens a congressional hearing with Democratic mayors from four

The committee has invited the mayors of Boston, Chicago, Denver and New York City, all Democrats, to explain and defend the laws during a televised hearing at 10 a.m. Some mayors have defended the laws as making all their residents safer.