Mayor Brandon Johnson in D.C. to defend Chicago’s sanctuary city status at congressional hearing Wednesday

Mayor Brandon Johnson is in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, where he will defend Chicago’s sanctuary city status during a hearing before the House Oversight Committee focused on immigration policies.

Johnson has been in the nation’s capital for days, preparing for a congressional hearing that’s sure to be a grilling by Republicans. The hearing is set to get underway at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Chicago’s mayor will be joined by three other sanctuary city mayors, New York City’s Eric Adams, Boston’s Michelle Wu and Denver’s Mike Johnston.

For years, Chicago’s sanctuary city status has been a major flashpoint for Republicans, who say it violates federal law and hampers the federal government’s effort to enforce immigration law.

The Welcoming City Ordinance, which establishes Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city, has been on the books in some form since Mayor Harold Washington’s tenure from 1983-87. Every mayor since has so far successfully been able to fight back against its critics.

“I’m going to show up for the people of Chicago, as I’ve always done,” Johnson said. “I can’t say I’m looking forward to (Wednesday’s congressional hearing), but I can certainly say that when I get there, who I am is who I will remain.”

The Republican-led House Oversight Committee in the past has tripped up leaders of the country’s top educational institutions, leading to resignations. Republicans on the committee appear to be gearing up for a fight Wednesday against sanctuary city mayors.

Since taking office, the Trump Administration has cracked down hard on illegal immigration, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stepping up its efforts, especially in Chicago. Trump’s Department of Justice also sued Chicago for its sanctuary city laws, saying they supersede federal law.

“I will be prepared to defend working people in this city,” Johnson said.

Johnson has reached out to former Chicago mayors Rahm Emanuel and Lori Lightfoot for advice, as well as to Congressmen Danny Davis and Jonathan Jackson and former Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

“I’ve never backed down in a fight,” Johnson said.