The bill would require Washington, D.C. to comply with ICE and DHS
WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Rules Committee, introduced the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act, a piece of legislation that would eliminate the District of Columbia’s sanctuary laws and require compliance with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detainer requests. Representative Clay Higgins (R-LA-03) has introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Unconscionable that our nation’s capital would facilitate illegality and thwart federal law enforcement efforts,” said Senator Hagerty. “President Trump’s efforts to enforce immigration laws should not be undermined by local leadership anywhere in the United States, let alone Washington, D.C. I’m pleased to introduce this legislation that will end D.C.’s attempt to create criminal sanctuary and require the District to comply with federal law enforcement to bring illegal aliens to justice and keep our communities safe.”
“Sanctuary policies have devastating real-life consequences,” said Congressman Clay Higgins. “As our nation’s capital, Washington D.C. should be the safest, most ‘America First’ city in the United States, and Congress has the Constitutional authority to end the city’s sanctuary status. I thank Senator Hagerty for introducing companion legislation in the Senate that ends D.C.’s sanctuary laws and returns our nation’s capital to We, the People.”
The District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act would prevent Washington, D.C. from having in effect a statute, ordinance, policy or practice that prohibits or restricts any entity or official of the District government from communicating with federal immigration authorities or complying with a request made by DHS or ICE to honor a detainer on an illegal alien in the custody of the District.
Background:
- The Biden Administration allowed millions of illegal aliens into the United States. Now, Democrat-run cities and states are trying to prevent the Trump Administration from enforcing the law and removing illegal aliens from our communities through unlawful sanctuary policies and laws. Washington, D.C. is a sanctuary jurisdiction under its Sanctuary Values Amendment Act.
- As Chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee with respect for Washington, D.C., Sen. Hagerty has an overarching interest in underscoring Washington’s duty to align with federal policies that prioritize national safety and security. President Trump is delivering on his promise to enforce the law and bring illegal aliens to justice. Sanctuary policies, however, seek to undermine President Trump’s efforts to protect Americans.
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
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