Congress·Reported·H.R. 1681

House Committee Advances Bill Banning Sanctuary Cities, Letting Crime Victims Sue Local Governments

Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act

2 months ago·View on Congress.gov

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Key Points

This bill, introduced by Representative Evans of Colorado, would ban states and cities from having "sanctuary" policies. It prevents local governments from stopping their employees or police from sharing information with federal immigration agents or helping them enforce immigration laws.
From policy text
“no Federal, State, or local government entity, and no individual, may prohibit or in any way restrict, a Federal, State, or local government entity, official, or other personnel from complying with the immigration laws and policies of the United States or from assisting or cooperating with Federal law enforcement entities, officials, or other personnel regarding the enforcement of the immigration laws.”
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The proposal gives local towns the power to sue their own state government if the state tries to block them from working with federal immigration officials. A local government can take legal action if they can show that a state's rules caused them at least $100 in financial harm.
From policy text
“For purposes of this subsection, local government entity or its residents shall be considered to have been harmed if the entity or any of its residents experience harm, including financial harm in excess of $100.”
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It clarifies that local police are protected from being sued when they hold someone for federal immigration agents. If a local jail keeps someone for up to 96 hours based on a federal request, the local government cannot be held responsible in court. Instead, any legal complaints would have to be filed against the federal government.
From policy text
“shall be considered to be acting under color of Federal authority for purposes of determining the liability, and immunity from suit, of the State or political subdivision of a State in a civil action brought under Federal or State law and shall not be liable for their compliance with the detainer in any suit seeking any punitive, compensatory, or other monetary damages.”
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The bill creates a way for crime victims to sue local governments. If a city refuses to hold a person for federal agents and that person is released and commits a serious crime, the victim or their family can sue the city for money. This applies to crimes like murder, rape, or other serious crimes that lead to at least a year in prison.
From policy text
“Any individual, or a spouse, parent, or child of that individual (if the individual is deceased), who is the victim of a murder, rape, or any felony, under State or Federal law, for which an alien has been convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment of at least 1 year, may bring an action against a State or political subdivision of a State”
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It also protects the use of private detention centers. States and cities would be prohibited from passing laws that stop the government from buying property for, building, or paying private companies to run immigration jails. This ensures federal authorities can continue using private facilities to hold people.

ImmigrationCriminal JusticeCivil Rights

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

State Impacts

StateScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

6 milestones9 actions

Jan 12, 2026House

Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-439, Part I.

Nov 18, 2025House

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Nov 18, 2025House

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Apr 9, 2025House

Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.

Apr 9, 2025House

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Related News

3 articles

Colorado Public Radio·about 1 year ago

For his first bill in Congress, Rep. Evans aims to reverse Colorado's immigration laws

Rep. Gabe Evans introduced the UPLIFT Act to reverse Colorado's sanctuary policies. The bill allows local governments to sue the state for financial harm over $100 if prevented from cooperating with ICE and protects local police from liability when honoring federal immigration detainers.

The American Conservative·11 months ago

The Congressman Targeted By AOC

In an interview, Rep. Evans explains that the UPLIFT Act extends 'hold harmless' protections to local officers who share information with federal agents despite state sanctuary laws. He emphasizes that the bill aims to reduce liability for law enforcement and improve public safety coordination.

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Colorado Newsline·8 months ago

A century later, Rep. Gabe Evans echoes anti-immigrant attitudes his grandfather's family overcame

The article criticizes Evans' UPLIFT Act, noting it would allow property crime charges to trigger federal detention. It highlights the bill's provisions that would force local cooperation with ICE and allow jurisdictions to sue the state, contrasting the policy with Evans' own family history.

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