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Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-611| House 
| Updated: 1/22/2025
Chuck Edwards

Chuck Edwards

Republican Representative

North Carolina

Cosponsors (3)
David J. Taylor (Republican)John J. McGuire (Republican)Tim Moore (Republican)

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.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3964
Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-515
Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7628
Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2024
Jan 22, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-185
Introduced in Senate
Jan 22, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 22, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Jan 22, 2025
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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3964
    Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-515
    Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7628
    Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2024


  • January 22, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-185
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 22, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 22, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.


  • January 22, 2025
    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.

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 119-185: Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025
  • S 119-3782: Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities and Fallen Law Enforcement Act of 2026

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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3964
Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-515
Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7628
Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2024
Jan 22, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-185
Introduced in Senate
Jan 22, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 22, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Jan 22, 2025
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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3964
    Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-515
    Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7628
    Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2024


  • January 22, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-185
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 22, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 22, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.


  • January 22, 2025
    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.
Chuck Edwards

Chuck Edwards

Republican Representative

North Carolina

Cosponsors (3)
David J. Taylor (Republican)John J. McGuire (Republican)Tim Moore (Republican)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Financial Services Committee, Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee, Judiciary Committee

Immigration

Related Bills

  • S 119-185: Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025
  • S 119-3782: Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities and Fallen Law Enforcement Act of 2026
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted