Today, House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik and Congressman Nick Langworthy introduced the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act. This bill aims to block federal funding for sanctuary jurisdictions that prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. It serves as the House counterpart to Senator Ted Cruz’s legislation.
Chairwoman Stefanik criticized New York State’s sanctuary cities, stating, “Sanctuary cities in New York State shield criminal illegals while hurting law-abiding citizens.” She attributed these issues to the state’s leadership, saying it incentivizes illegal migration, impacts social services, raises housing costs, and lowers wages.
Congressman Langworthy highlighted concerns over violence in Los Angeles as a warning for New York. He emphasized that state and local governments must comply with federal immigration enforcement or face withheld federal financial assistance. “We must stand with our heroic ICE officers, our men and women in blue,” he stated.
The bill also seeks to clarify the legal authority for local and state law enforcement to honor federal immigration detainer requests by considering officers who comply as acting federal agents. It aims to protect law enforcement from liability when they cooperate with federal immigration efforts.
Additionally, the legislation encourages compliance with federal immigration laws by targeting jurisdictions that defy detainer requests and protect illegal immigrants from removal.
The backdrop of this legislation is a concern that sanctuary cities undermine federal immigration enforcement by not cooperating with ICE detainer requests. This non-compliance is seen as leading to preventable tragedies by prioritizing political posturing over public safety.
