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U.S. Senators Katie Britt, R-Ala., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., with several of their Republican colleagues introduced the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act. Their legislation would “fight sanctuary policies and provide justice for victims and their families who are harmed when sanctuary jurisdictions endanger public safety,” the release stated.
“Radical sanctuary cities give criminal illegal aliens a safe haven at the expense of the safety and security of American citizens and our communities,” said Senator Britt. “Senate Republicans are committed to working with the Trump Administration to restore commonsense immigration enforcement and border policies to protect our nation. The Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act is the next step in this process—forcing sanctuary cities and states to face consequences for the devastating effects of their open border policies.”
The Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act establishes a private right of action for any individual, spouse, parent or child who is a victim of murder, rape or any felony (as defined by the State), to bring an action against a State or political subdivision of a State if the entity declined to honor a lawful immigration detainer request for an alien by the Department of Homeland Security.
“For far too long, we have watched local jurisdictions in North Carolina and across the country ignore the lawful notification and detainer requests made by ICE agents and instead release dangerous criminals back into their communities, putting innocent lives at risk,” said Senator Tillis. “I am committed to working with President Trump to end illegal immigration and fight sanctuary cities that prioritize reckless, lawless policies over public safety. It is clear that liberal politicians want to put political ideology ahead of the safety of their constituents. It is time for Congress to step in and hold sanctuary cities accountable.”
The Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act would also require a state or political subdivision of a state to waive immunity as a condition of receiving certain federal grants. Full text of the legislation is available HERE.
The introduction of this legislation comes on the heels of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passing Senator Britt’s Laken Riley Act. The Laken Riley Act is awaiting President Trump’s signature.
Senator Britt also introduced the WALL Act last week. The WALL Act would appropriate $25 billion to finish building a wall on our southern border without raising taxes on U.S. citizens or increasing the national debt. “It would be funded by closing loopholes and eliminating taxpayer-funded entitlements and tax benefits for people who are here illegally. It would also impose monetary fines on people who either come into the country illegally or overstay their visas. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimated in 2018 that enacting the provisions in this bill would save $33 billion over ten years,” the release concluded.
