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Lawmakers clash over whether hearing on sanctuary policies politicizes victims' stories
Summary
Representative Hank Johnson said the hearing risked stoking prejudice and politics, while other members and witnesses accused Democrats of enabling open-border policies; the exchange turned heated and drew testimony back to victims' accounts.
Representative Hank Johnson told the committee he sympathized with the families but worried the hearing's framing could inflame bias against immigrants and divert attention from other causes of violence.
"All victims of violent crime deserve justice, but this hearing is not about justice," Rep. Johnson said, arguing lawmakers could have held hearings on other topics. Another lawmaker sharply rebutted him, calling prior remarks "disgusting" and accusing Democrats of four years of open-border policy. Witnesses and staff sought to keep the record focused on families' testimonials; the committee proceeded to member questioning after the exchange.
