Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), along with several Republican colleagues, have introduced the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act, a piece of legislation aimed at addressing sanctuary city policies and providing legal recourse for victims harmed by individuals released from custody in sanctuary jurisdictions.
The bill seeks to hold local governments accountable for not honoring immigration detainer requests issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These requests, typically made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ask local law enforcement agencies to hold individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally until federal authorities can take them into custody.
Under the proposed legislation, any individual or family member who is a victim of serious crimes such as murder, rape, or felony offenses can sue a state or local government if that jurisdiction did not comply with a DHS detainer request. Proponents argue that sanctuary policies—under which some jurisdictions limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement—put public safety at risk by releasing individuals who may pose a danger to the community.
Senator Katie Britt, a first-term Republican from Alabama, emphasized the need for the bill to address what she sees as a public safety crisis created by sanctuary city policies.
“Radical sanctuary cities give criminal illegal aliens a safe haven at the expense of the safety and security of American citizens and our communities,” said Britt. “The Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act is the next step in this process—forcing sanctuary cities and states to face consequences for the devastating effects of their open border policies.”
Thom Tillis, the senior senator from North Carolina, echoed similar concerns, calling sanctuary city policies reckless and dangerous.
“For far too long, we have watched local jurisdictions in North Carolina and across the country ignore the lawful notification and detainer requests made by ICE agents,” said Tillis. “It is clear that liberal politicians want to put political ideology ahead of the safety of their constituents. It is time for Congress to step in and hold sanctuary cities accountable.”
In addition to the legal recourse for victims, the bill would also impose a requirement for states or political subdivisions to waive sovereign immunity in exchange for receiving certain federal grants. This provision aims to ensure that jurisdictions comply with federal immigration laws or risk losing access to crucial funding.
The introduction of the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act follows on the heels of other immigration-related legislative efforts by Senator Britt. Among them is the Laken Riley Act, which passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate and is awaiting President Trump’s signature. The Laken Riley Act is named after a woman who was killed by an undocumented immigrant in Alabama and seeks to impose additional penalties for crimes committed by individuals unlawfully in the U.S.
Additionally, Britt recently introduced the WALL Act, which would allocate $25 billion for the construction of a southern border wall, a priority for many conservatives in the ongoing debate over U.S. immigration policy.
The Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act is part of a broader push among some Republicans to challenge sanctuary city policies, which they argue prioritize political ideologies over the protection of citizens. Critics of sanctuary policies argue that they undermine law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities, while advocates for sanctuary cities contend that such policies are crucial for fostering trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement.
The bill’s introduction is likely to intensify the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement, sanctuary policies, and the role of local governments in shaping immigration-related decisions. It remains to be seen how the bill will progress in the divided Senate, where it may face significant opposition from Democrats and other lawmakers who support sanctuary policies.
Both Senators Britt and Tillis have been vocal advocates for a stronger stance on immigration enforcement. Their efforts reflect a broader Republican commitment to stricter immigration policies under the Trump Administration, including calls for greater border security and measures to curb illegal immigration.
As the legislative process continues, the future of the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act will depend on both political negotiations and the broader national discourse surrounding immigration reform.
