Mayors of four of the largest cities in the U.S. appeared before lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday to defend their so-called "sanctuary city" laws, which restrict local officials in helping enforce federal immigration regulations.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker was not asked to appear before the Congressional committee but Philadelphia’s policies mirror those of several of the cities that were taken to task there.

Hoping to repeat their drubbing of college presidents over campus antisemitism, House Republicans plan to go on the attack against the mayors of New York, Chicago, Denver and Boston.