Lawmakers launch effort to strip sanctuary city policies in DC
Republican lawmakers are spearheading an initiative to compel Washington, D.C. to abandon its sanctuary city policies. Sanctuary cities are local jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, including refusing to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests. The District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act aims to abolish sanctuary city laws in Washington, D.C. and prevent the city from implementing any policies that allow it to evade compliance with Homeland Security and ICE on detainer requests for illegal immigrants.
Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., who introduced the measure in the Senate, expressed his concerns about the nation’s capital facilitating illegality and hindering federal law enforcement efforts. He emphasized that President Trump’s endeavors to enforce immigration laws should not be undermined by local leadership, particularly in Washington, D.C. The city has various sanctuary city policies, such as a measure adopted in 2020 by the D.C. City Council that restricts officials from inquiring about the immigration status of individuals in custody and prohibits the transfer of individuals to federal immigration agencies.
Other jurisdictions with sanctuary city policies include Chicago, New York City, Boston, and Los Angeles. Despite efforts from the Trump administration to restrict federal funds for sanctuary cities, a federal judge blocked these measures in April, citing violations of the Constitution’s separation of powers principles and the spending clause, as well as the Fifth and 10th Amendments. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., introduced the legislation in the House, emphasizing the adverse real-life consequences of sanctuary policies and asserting Congress’s constitutional authority to end Washington, D.C.’s sanctuary status.
The legislation aligns with recent actions from the White House to crack down on sanctuary cities. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday requiring the Justice Department and Homeland Security to compile a list of sanctuary cities that fail to comply with federal immigration laws. Cities on the list will receive notifications and have the opportunity to revoke their sanctuary status. Failure to do so could result in the loss of federal funding. The order also directs Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to pursue legal remedies to encourage sanctuary cities to comply with federal law.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the importance of obeying and respecting the law, as well as not obstructing federal immigration and law enforcement officials in their efforts to remove public safety threats from communities. The administration is determined to enforce the nation’s immigration laws in response to the American public’s concerns about illegal alien criminals residing in their communities.
In conclusion, the efforts to eliminate sanctuary city policies in Washington, D.C. reflect a broader push to uphold federal immigration laws and enhance public safety. The collaboration between Republican lawmakers and the White House underscores the significance of enforcing existing immigration regulations and ensuring compliance with federal authorities.
