Four Democratic mayors recently made headlines when they were called to testify on Capitol Hill about their cities' sanctuary policies regarding illegal aliens.

Their comments enraged Republicans, with one lawmaker suggesting that they need to face criminal charges. 

Florida congresswoman says local leaders are breaking the law

According to The Hill, the ominous message was put forward on Wednesday by Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.

Luna directed her remarks toward Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.

All four jurisdictions have policies in place that limit the ability of local law enforcement officers to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

"To me after this line of questioning, it’s very clear that these policies that you have all implicated are active and alive and well in your cities are in direct violation with Title 8, U.S.C. § 1324 and is a federal offense," Luna declared.

The law in question makes it a crime to bring people into the United States illegally or to knowingly harbor those who have already arrived.

Luna promises criminal referrals

"You all speak about a broken immigration system and yet here you guys are aiding and abetting in that entire process," the lawmaker noted.

BREAKING: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is referring ALL FOUR mayors at today’s hearing for criminal prosecution!

Eric Adams, Mike Johnston, Brandon Johnson, and Michelle Wu.

"You are in direct violation of 8 U.S. Code § 1324."

"I'm criminally referring you to the DOJ for… pic.twitter.com/xkWK2KOb0K

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 5, 2025

"I do not think you guys are bad people but I think you are ideologically misled which is why, unfortunately based on your responses, I’m going to be criminally referring you to the Department of Justice for investigation, and as soon as I leave here, these will be going over to [Attorney General] Pam Bondi," she stressed.

"If you guys continue doing what you’re doing, you’re not going to help anyone," the Florida lawmaker went on to assert.

AG has filed a lawsuit against Chicago and Illinois

The Hill noted how a "criminal referral is a formal notice to the DOJ that a lawmaker or committee believes criminal conduct may have taken place."

The website also pointed out that Bondi has already filed a lawsuit against Chicago along with the state of Illinois, alleging that both are obstructing the Trump administration from enforcing immigration laws.

What's more, the attorney general also released a memo in February which threatened sanctuary cities with loss of funding from the DOJ.