A Republican bill with 8 Republican cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Sanctuary City Elimination Act" aims to facilitate cooperation between State/local law enforcement and Federal officials regarding individuals illegally present in the U.S. It establishes that local entities complying with Department of Homeland Security detainers are deemed agents of the Federal government. The bill provides legal immunity to States and local officials acting in compliance with these detainers. It defines "sanctuary jurisdictions" as those that restrict information sharing or detainer compliance. Finally, the Act makes these jurisdictions ineligible for various Federal grants and funds.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this change how police departments operate?
The bill facilitates cooperation between local and federal law enforcement by granting specific legal authority and protections to local officers acting as federal agents.
The opposite· 3 of 8
- Scored -6
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill reduces the autonomy of states by penalizing them for their local policies through the withholding of federal funds.
- Scored -5
Does this put more money into public schools?
The bill makes sanctuary jurisdictions ineligible for various federal education grants, including elementary and secondary education funds.
- Scored -4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill reduces access to community development block grants which are often used for low-income community support.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Legal Protection for Local Officers: Under Section 2(a), local officers complying with federal detainers are deemed agents of the Department of Homeland Security, granting them the same authority as federal employees.
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Liability Shield for Governments: Section 2(b) ensures that no liability lies against a State or political subdivision for actions taken in compliance with a federal detainer.
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Legal Protection for Individual Officers: Section 2(b)(2) provides that officers acting in compliance with a detainer are deemed to be acting within the scope of their employment, which provides legal protections.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Loss of Federal Grant Funding for Communities: Section 4 makes "sanctuary jurisdictions" ineligible for various Federal grants, including those for education, environmental education, and economic development.
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Financial Burden on Education: Section 4(a)(3) prevents the allocation of grants to State or local educational agencies that are deemed sanctuary jurisdictions.
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Loss of Environmental and Economic Funding: Section 4(a)(2) and Section 4(c) prevent the provision of financial assistance for environmental education and economic development projects in sanctuary jurisdictions.
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Legal Standing for Lawsuits Against Federal Entities: Section 4 includes various provisions that allow the attorney general of a state to bring legal actions against federal agencies or entities to require the withholding of funds from sanctuary jurisdictions if a released alien commits a crime.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill makes sanctuary jurisdictions ineligible for various federal education grants, including elementary and secondary education funds. Does this make college cost less? — The bill prevents higher education institutions in sanctuary jurisdictions from receiving certain stem training grants.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill reduces access to community development block grants which are often used for low-income community support. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill targets sanctuary jurisdictions, which are frequently urban centers, by withholding various federal grants.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill reduces the autonomy of states by penalizing them for their local policies through the withholding of federal funds.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill reduces economic development funding for jurisdictions deemed sanctuary jurisdictions. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill reduces federal spending on various grants for jurisdictions that are classified as sanctuary jurisdictions.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill facilitates cooperation between local and federal law enforcement by granting specific legal authority and protections to local officers acting as federal agents.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill restricts access to environmental education and pollution control grants for sanctuary jurisdictions.
- 7/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
John BarrassoRepublican · Wyoming
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
Lindsey GrahamRepublican · South Carolina
- Darline Graham
Republican · South Carolina
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Tim ScottRepublican · South Carolina
Eric SchmittRepublican · Missouri