No Sanctuary for Criminals Act of 2023
12/15/2023, 4:00 PMSummary of Bill HR 4684
Bill 118 hr 4684, also known as the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The bill aims to address the issue of sanctuary cities, which are jurisdictions that limit their cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts.Under the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, sanctuary cities would be prohibited from receiving certain federal grants if they do not comply with federal immigration enforcement efforts. The bill also includes provisions that would require local law enforcement agencies to comply with federal immigration detainer requests and provide information about individuals in their custody who are suspected of being in the country illegally.
Supporters of the bill argue that sanctuary cities create safe havens for criminals and undermine federal immigration laws. They believe that the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act is necessary to ensure that local law enforcement agencies are working in cooperation with federal authorities to enforce immigration laws and keep communities safe. Opponents of the bill argue that it would lead to racial profiling and discrimination against immigrant communities. They believe that sanctuary cities play an important role in building trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, and that the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act would undermine this trust. Overall, the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act of 2023 is a controversial piece of legislation that seeks to address the issue of sanctuary cities and their impact on federal immigration enforcement efforts. It remains to be seen whether the bill will be passed by Congress and signed into law.
Congressional Summary of HR 4684
No Sanctuary for Criminals Act of 2023
This bill addresses issues related to state and local government cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
A government entity may not prohibit its personnel or another government entity from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement efforts or making inquiries about an individual's immigration status. Currently, a government entity is only barred from prohibiting the sharing of immigration-related information with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
DHS may (1) decline to transfer a detained non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) to a noncomplying government entity even if that entity has issued a writ or warrant, and (2) issue a detainer if there is probable cause to believe that an individual arrested for any criminal or motor vehicle offense is inadmissible or deportable. DHS may not transfer an individual with a final order of removal to a noncomplying government entity.
Furthermore, the bill provides legal immunity for a state or local government entity or official temporarily detaining a non-U.S. national under federal authority.
