hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Defines sanctuary cities, cuts their federal funding, protects cooperating local law enforcement.
Sen. Cornyn (R-TX) and 7 Republican co-sponsors.
Introduced in Senate, no vote yet.
This bill defines 'sanctuary jurisdictions' as areas that restrict cooperation with federal immigration detainer requests. It would make these jurisdictions ineligible for various federal grants, including for education, environmental programs, and economic development. It also protects state and local law enforcement officers from liability if they comply with federal immigration detainer requests. The bill was introduced by Senator John Cornyn of Texas and is currently awaiting review by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Introduced Apr 16, 2026
This bill was introduced in the Senate on April 16, 2026, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. For it to become law, it must be approved by this committee, pass a vote in the full Senate, then pass a vote in the House of Representatives, and finally be signed by the President. There are no scheduled votes or hearings at this time.
If your city or state is deemed a 'sanctuary jurisdiction,' it could lose federal grants for K-12 education, higher education STEM programs, arts and humanities, and state fiscal stabilization. Your community could also lose funding for environmental initiatives like pollution control and brownfields cleanup, as well as economic development grants for public works and planning. Additionally, state and local law enforcement officers who cooperate with federal immigration detainer requests would be considered federal agents and protected from legal liability, with the U.S. government becoming the defendant in legal challenges to their actions.
Supporters Say
Supporters argue the bill improves public safety by ensuring local law enforcement cooperates with federal efforts to detain individuals in the country illegally who may pose a criminal or terrorist threat.
Critics Say
Critics would likely argue the bill unfairly punishes communities by withholding essential federal funds and could erode trust between immigrant communities and local police, making residents less likely to report crimes.
Proponents of the bill contend that it is essential for national security and public safety, arguing that local jurisdictions should not impede federal immigration enforcement efforts. They believe providing legal protection to cooperating local officers will encourage better collaboration. Opponents of similar legislation often raise concerns about federal overreach into local governance, arguing that 'sanctuary policies' foster trust between law enforcement and all residents, which is crucial for community safety, and that cutting off vital funding could harm residents who rely on these programs.