H.R. 3827: Recouping Funds from Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Recouping Funds from Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025, proposes that any political subdivision of a state—which can include cities, counties, or other local government entities—must return federal funding received during a specific time frame if they have laws, regulations, or practices that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Return of Federal Funds: The bill mandates that political subdivisions labeled as “sanctuary jurisdictions” must return federal funds not already obligated if they fall under specific criteria outlined in the bill.
• Definition of Sanctuary Jurisdictions: A political subdivision is considered a sanctuary jurisdiction if it has policies that:
  • Prohibit or restrict any government entity or official from sharing information about individuals' citizenship or immigration status with federal, state, or local entities.
  • Fail to comply with lawful requests from the Department of Homeland Security regarding detainers or notifications about individuals in custody.
• Time Frame for Fund Return: The requirement to return funds applies to federal funds received starting from five fiscal years before the effective date of the act.
• Exemptions: Certain federal funds, specifically those received under specific provisions of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, are not subject to this requirement.
• Grace Period: A political subdivision can avoid returning funds if it notifies the Attorney General of intent to remedy its status as a sanctuary jurisdiction and takes steps to change its policies within a set timeframe.

Overall Impact

The essence of the bill is to create financial consequences for local governments that choose to implement policies considered as sanctuary for immigrants, thereby incentivizing these jurisdictions to align their practices with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Relevant Companies

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