The End of Sanctuary Cites
As
of April 2026, the 119th Congress is actively pursuing legislation to
penalize or eliminate "sanctuary city" policies, with proposals aimed at
restricting federal funding and imposing criminal penalties on
officials who impede immigration enforcement. Key legislative efforts, strongly supported by the administration, include the End Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026 (S.3805) and H.R. 32 (No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act).
Key Legislative Actions in 2026:
- End Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026(S. 3805): Introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham in February 2026 with White House support, this bill seeks to end sanctuary policies by imposing criminal penalties on state and local officials who fail to comply with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detainers for criminal illegal aliens.
- No Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026(H.R. 7423): Introduced in February 2026, targeting the prohibition of federal funds for jurisdictions with sanctuary policies.
- Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025(H.R. 2931): Passed the House in June 2025, aiming to relocate certain Small Business Administration offices from sanctuary jurisdictions.
- No Tax Breaks for Sanctuary Cities Act(H.R. 1879): Proposed to deny tax-exempt status for bonds issued by sanctuary jurisdictions.
Context and Impact:
- Congressional Focus: Committees are reviewing, and reports indicate, that sanctuary policies are viewed as hindering law enforcement and aiding the release of criminal illegal aliens.
- Legal Standing: While Congress moves to restrict them, sanctuary jurisdictions have historically maintained that they have a constitutional right to limit involvement in federal immigration enforcement.
- Action Plan: Lawmakers are planning votes on these measures through early 2026, with the goal of strengthening federal immigration authority and reducing support for localities that do not cooperate with ICE.