S. 1522: District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act

This bill, known as the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act, aims to require the District of Columbia to adhere strictly to federal immigration laws. The key provisions of the bill include:

Prohibition on Sanctuary Policies

The bill prohibits the District of Columbia from being classified as a "sanctuary jurisdiction." This means that:

• The District cannot enact any laws, policies, or practices that would prevent its officials from sharing information about individuals' citizenship or immigration status with federal authorities.
• Officials in the District must comply with requests from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding detainers for individuals suspected of being in the country unlawfully. A detainer is a request to hold an individual for up to 48 hours beyond their scheduled release from custody so that federal authorities can take custody of them.

Exceptions to Compliance Requirements

While the District must comply with federal immigration laws per the bill, there are exceptions for specific situations:

• The District is not in violation of the compliance requirement if its officials do not share information regarding someone who reports being a victim of or a witness to a crime.
• Additionally, officials are not required to comply with detainer requests from DHS for individuals who come forward as victims or witnesses of criminal offenses.

Implementation and Enforcement

The bill mandates federal oversight to ensure the District adheres to these immigration laws, which would involve regular reporting and compliance assessments. This could potentially lead to federal funding implications if the District fails to comply with the new requirements.

Impact on Local Authorities

Local law enforcement and other agencies would need to adjust their policies and practices to ensure alignment with federal laws, possibly affecting how they interact with immigrant communities.

Guidance for Officials

The legislation aims to provide clarity for District officials on their roles regarding immigration enforcement and communication with federal entities.

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