Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., wrote in his invitation to the mayors the local laws were "misguided and obstructionist policies" that "hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities, making Americans less safe."
The specifics of sanctuary laws vary from city to city, but are generally intended to afford migrants similar due-process rights as those of citizens, and to encourage people to speak with local police if they are victims of or witnesses to a crime, without fear their illegal status will be investigated.
In most cases, sanctuary laws forbid local officials from arresting or detaining a person the federal government suspects of violating its civil immigration code unless a judge has issued an arrest warrant.