Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Financial Services Committee, Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill, titled the "Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025," creates a civil remedy for individuals harmed by certain crimes committed by aliens who have benefited from "sanctuary policies." It establishes a private right of action allowing victims of murder, rape, or specific felonies, or their families, to sue a State or political subdivision if it failed to comply with a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detainer request or notify DHS about an alien's release. Plaintiffs can seek compensatory damages and recover attorney's fees if they prevail. A sanctuary jurisdiction is defined as any state or local entity with a policy restricting government officials from sharing immigration status information or complying with lawful DHS detainer requests, with an exception for policies protecting victims or witnesses of crimes. To facilitate these lawsuits, the bill mandates that any State or political subdivision accepting certain federal grants, such as those for public works or community development, must waive immunity for sanctuary-related civil actions. This waiver ensures that these jurisdictions can be held accountable in court. Furthermore, the bill aims to ensure cooperation between federal and local law enforcement by deeming states or political subdivisions that comply with DHS detainers as agents of the Department of Homeland Security . It provides liability protection for these entities and their officers: if sued for actions taken in accordance with a detainer, the state or local entity is not liable, and the United States government will be substituted as the defendant. This provision is intended to encourage local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts, though it explicitly states that it does not provide immunity for knowingly violating civil or constitutional rights.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-611| House
| Updated: 1/22/2025
This bill, titled the "Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025," creates a civil remedy for individuals harmed by certain crimes committed by aliens who have benefited from "sanctuary policies." It establishes a private right of action allowing victims of murder, rape, or specific felonies, or their families, to sue a State or political subdivision if it failed to comply with a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detainer request or notify DHS about an alien's release. Plaintiffs can seek compensatory damages and recover attorney's fees if they prevail. A sanctuary jurisdiction is defined as any state or local entity with a policy restricting government officials from sharing immigration status information or complying with lawful DHS detainer requests, with an exception for policies protecting victims or witnesses of crimes. To facilitate these lawsuits, the bill mandates that any State or political subdivision accepting certain federal grants, such as those for public works or community development, must waive immunity for sanctuary-related civil actions. This waiver ensures that these jurisdictions can be held accountable in court. Furthermore, the bill aims to ensure cooperation between federal and local law enforcement by deeming states or political subdivisions that comply with DHS detainers as agents of the Department of Homeland Security . It provides liability protection for these entities and their officers: if sued for actions taken in accordance with a detainer, the state or local entity is not liable, and the United States government will be substituted as the defendant. This provision is intended to encourage local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts, though it explicitly states that it does not provide immunity for knowingly violating civil or constitutional rights.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.