To prohibit the use of Federal funds for congressional earmarks targeted to a State or unit of local government that is a sanctuary jurisdiction.

2/1/2025, 9:06 AM
Congress
119

Number
HR - 205

Introduced on
2025-01-03

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
Beth Van Duyne

Cosponsors
+5

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

No Congressional Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act

This bill prohibits federal funds from being used as congressionally directed spending (i.e., an earmark) for jurisdictions that withhold information about citizenship or immigration status or do not cooperate with immigration detainers.

Specifically, such funds are denied to any jurisdiction that has a law, policy, or practice that prohibits or restricts any government entity from

  • maintaining, sending, or receiving information regarding the citizenship or immigration status of any individual;
  • exchanging information regarding an individual's citizenship or immigration status with a federal, state, or local government entity;
  • complying with a valid immigration detainer from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); or
  • notifying DHS about an individual's release from custody.

The funding restriction does not apply to a law, policy, or practice that only applies to an individual who comes forward as a victim of or a witness to a criminal offense.

This prohibition begins in FY2026.

Bill 119 HR 205, also known as the "No Federal Funding for Sanctuary Cities Act," aims to prevent the use of Federal funds for congressional earmarks that are specifically targeted towards State or local governments that have been designated as sanctuary jurisdictions. Sanctuary cities are places where local law enforcement limits their cooperation with federal immigration authorities in order to protect undocumented immigrants.

The bill seeks to address the issue of sanctuary cities by prohibiting the allocation of Federal funds for projects or programs in these jurisdictions. This means that any earmarks designated for sanctuary cities would be ineligible for Federal funding. The goal of this legislation is to discourage sanctuary jurisdictions from implementing policies that conflict with Federal immigration laws.

Supporters of the bill argue that sanctuary cities undermine national immigration enforcement efforts and create safety concerns for the public. They believe that Federal funds should not be used to support jurisdictions that do not comply with immigration laws. Opponents of the bill argue that it unfairly targets sanctuary cities and infringes on the rights of local governments to set their own policies regarding immigration enforcement. They argue that withholding Federal funds could have negative consequences for the residents of these jurisdictions. Overall, Bill 119 HR 205 is a controversial piece of legislation that addresses the issue of sanctuary cities and Federal funding. It will be important to monitor the progress of this bill as it moves through the legislative process to see how it may impact sanctuary jurisdictions and immigration enforcement efforts.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo prohibit the use of Federal funds for congressional earmarks targeted to a State or unit of local government that is a sanctuary jurisdiction.

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary2/12/2025

No Congressional Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act

This bill prohibits federal funds from being used as congressionally directed spending (i.e., an earmark) for jurisdictions that withhold information about citizenship or ...


Latest Action1/3/2025
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdict...