In a striking divergence from party lines, several Republican mayors have openly criticized President Trump’s stringent immigration enforcement measures, suggesting that these tactics are making U.S. cities unsafe and damaging community trust. The criticism emerged at the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington D.C., where concerns about the aggressive actions of federal agents were a major point of discussion.

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt expressed his anxiety about the national impact of the immigration crackdown, stating, "It’s roiling the country. We're all sort of feeling the angst of our residents and the fear that our city will be next and that chaos is going to inevitably creep across the entire country."

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, with 40 years in law enforcement, highlighted the loss of trust that has resulted from the federal crackdown. He suggested that federal agents need enhanced training in deescalation techniques, similar to what is required in local police departments. Dyer emphasized the importance of cooperation between federal agencies and local governments, cautioning against deploying federal agencies into cities without local consent. "That’s a recipe for disaster," he remarked.

Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz from Minnesota also voiced serious concerns, stating that the aggressive tactics of immigration enforcement have compromised the safety of cities. She advocated for the use of judicial warrants and adherence to due process, emphasizing the need to align law enforcement practices with constitutional rights.

These Republican mayors, though supportive of the president’s broader immigration objectives, are alarmed by the specific implementation and the recent fatal shootings by federal agents in Minnesota. Their concerns reflect a growing rift within the GOP on this issue, as indicated by a new POLITICO poll showing dissatisfaction among Trump voters with the execution of his immigration policies.

The mayors' outspoken stance at a high-profile gathering near the White House underscores the significant challenges and divisions on immigration policy within the Republican Party. As ICE operations intensify across states like Arizona and Maine, city leaders are bracing for potential impacts, seeking ways to protect their communities while navigating the complexities of federal immigration enforcement.