H.R. 3881: Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act

This bill, titled the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act, aims to enhance cooperation between federal and state or local law enforcement agencies regarding individuals who are illegally in the United States. Here’s a breakdown of the key provisions of the bill:

1. Authority to Cooperate with Federal Officials

The bill allows state and local law enforcement officers to act as agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) when they comply with detainers issued by DHS. This means that law enforcement officials who follow DHS requests will have the same legal authority as federal officers in those situations.

2. Legal Protections for Compliance

If a state or local law enforcement agency is sued over the detention of an individual based on a DHS detainer, the agency will not be liable for actions taken in compliance with that detainer. Officers involved in these actions will be considered federal employees for legal purposes, thus reducing the potential for lawsuits against them personally.

However, the bill clarifies that immunity does not apply if an individual’s civil or constitutional rights are knowingly violated during the enforcement process.

3. Definition of Sanctuary Jurisdiction

The bill defines a sanctuary jurisdiction as any state or local government that restricts communication with federal immigration authorities or refuses to comply with detainers from DHS regarding individuals' immigration status. There is an exception for jurisdictions that do not share information when the individual is a victim or witness of a crime.

4. Ineligibility for Federal Funding

Sanctuary jurisdictions will face restrictions on receiving certain federal funds. Specifically, the bill amends various provisions related to grants including:

• Economic Development Administration Grants: Locations identified as sanctuary jurisdictions will be ineligible for public works and economic development grants.
• Community Development Block Grants: Jurisdictions labeled as sanctuary will not be eligible for these grants, and existing grants may need to be returned if the jurisdiction is listed as such during the funding period.

The aim is to ensure that federal funds support jurisdictions that comply with immigration laws and support cooperation with federal enforcement efforts.

5. Implementation Schedule

The provisions within this bill are set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Relevant Companies

None found