Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) on Wednesday told four sanctuary city mayors that she will be referring them to the Department of Justice for "aiding and abetting" illegal immigrants in violation of federal law.

The Democrat mayors - Eric Adams of New York City, Michelle Wu of Boston, Brandon Johnson of Chicago, and Mike Johnston of Denver - were testifying before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee earlier on Wednesday.

Luna made the surprise announcement, citing a federal statute often referred to by Border Czar Tom Homan in justifying the threat of criminal charges for sanctuary city officials.

“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,” the congresswoman said.

I just referred the sanctuary city mayors to the Department of Justice for CRIMINAL investigations based on evidence from their own comments and policies, proving that they were breaking federal law.

Open borders ideologies hurt people on both sides. If you hold federal office… pic.twitter.com/wt2swTOnru

— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) March 5, 2025

The post ends with: "If you hold federal office and are breaking the law, you’ll be criminally investigated by the DOJ."

Title 8, U.S.C. § 1324 makes it a criminal offense for anyone to knowingly "conceal, harbor, or shield from detection" illegal aliens. Those wondering about that code can read more about it here.

Prosecution depends on evidence of intent and knowledge, and it remains unclear if Attorney General Pam Bondi will pursue charges based on this specific law. But, as Luna reveals, the Justice Department now will be looking into the matter.

“You all speak about a broken immigration system, and yet here you guys are aiding and abetting in that entire process,” Luna said. 

“I do not think you guys are bad people but I think you are ideologically misled," she added, "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 Pam Bondi.”

“If you guys continue doing what you’re doing, you’re not going to help anyone."

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For her part, Bondi indeed expressed a desire to hold these sanctuary city mayors accountable, when it comes to illegal immigration and harboring criminals.

The AG smoked Wu on social media after the Boston mayor offered condolences to a knife-wielding lunatic who allegedly tried to stab two people--but not the potential victims.

"This DOJ will NEVER apologize for taking down dangerous criminals and getting them off our streets," Bondi wrote on X. "Politicians who want to apologize to criminals should not be in office!"

This DOJ will NEVER apologize for taking down dangerous criminals and getting them off our streets.

Thank you to the brave law enforcement officer in Boston who stepped up to protect those in need.

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) March 3, 2025

Johnston, the Denver mayor, was threatened with prosecution prior to Bondi's confirmation after he insisted he would instruct law enforcement to defend illegals in the city; he compared such a move to Tiananmen Square.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) responded to Johnston by predicting any Democrat officials who try to stop Trump's enforcement of federal immigration laws would themselves be stopped.

“The mayor of Denver, if he’s going to resist federal law, which is a long-standing history of the supremacy of federal law, if he’s going to resist that, it will go all the way to the Supreme Court,” said Paul in an interview with "Face the Nation."

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) says that the mayor of Denver will be removed from office if he resists federal law enforcement officials who are deporting illegal aliens: "It's a form of insurrection" pic.twitter.com/P9e4fVxVxu

— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) November 24, 2024

A DOJ memo in January specifically instructed federal prosecutors to identify and investigate any state or local officials who “threaten to impede” the administration's immigration enforcement efforts.

The memo stated:

“Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands and requests. 

“The U.S. Attorney’s Offices and litigating components of the Department of Justice shall investigate incidents involving any such misconduct for potential prosecution.”

With that background and a criminal referral officially filed, Bondi will have everything she needs to kick off an investigation of these sanctuary city mayors.