This bill would block federal security funding for major public events in sanctuary cities and states — places that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The affected support includes risk assessments, bomb detection teams, cyber help, and other DHS-provided security measures.
From policy text
“sanctuary jurisdictions are ineligible to receive Federal funds for SEAR support for events taking place in such jurisdictions, including funding from-- (1) the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Operations Coordination; or (2) related grant programs, such as the Homeland Security Grant Program.”
The money cut from sanctuary jurisdictions would be redirected to ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations. At least half of the redirected funds must go toward border-related enforcement, with priority given to targeting convicted criminals, gang members, and people on terrorist watch lists.
A jurisdiction is defined as a 'sanctuary' if it has any law, policy, or practice that restricts sharing immigration status information with federal agencies, or refuses DHS requests to hold individuals for possible deportation.
From policy text
“The term ``sanctuary jurisdiction'' means a State or a political subdivision of a State that has in effect a statute, ordinance, policy, or practice that prohibits or restricts-- (A) sending, receiving, maintaining, or exchanging with any Federal, State, or local government entity information regarding the citizenship or immigration status (lawful or unlawful) of any individual; or (B) complying with a request lawfully made by the Department of Homeland Security”
Before losing funds, a jurisdiction gets a 30-day warning from DHS. It can avoid the cut by certifying it is in full compliance with federal immigration laws, including requirements to share immigration status information.
From policy text
“The ineligibility of a sanctuary jurisdiction to receive Federal funds described in subsection (a) shall not take effect unless-- (1) 30 days has elapsed since the sanctuary jurisdiction was notified by the Secretary of Homeland Security that it is a sanctuary jurisdiction; and (2) the sanctuary jurisdiction fails to certify to the Secretary of Homeland Security that it is in full compliance with the immigration laws”
The bill's sponsors argue that sanctuary policies make large events less safe by blocking intelligence sharing and allowing potential threats to go undetected. They cite over 382 encounters with people on terrorist watch lists at U.S. borders between fiscal years 2021 and 2024.
From policy text
“Sanctuary jurisdictions, by limiting cooperation with Federal immigration enforcement, may hinder intelligence sharing and increase vulnerabilities at such events, including threats from illegal aliens potentially involved in terrorism or disruptions.”
