Rep. Roy Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Sanctuary Jurisdictions

Washington, D.C. — Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) introduced the Sanctuary Penalty and Public Protection Act today. This legislation is aimed at holding accountable jurisdictions that prioritize illegal aliens, including dangerous criminals, over the safety of their own residents.

Congressman Roy on the Sanctuary Penalty and Public Protection Act: "Upholding law and order should be THE top priority for government. For too long, sanctuary jurisdictions have abandoned their commitment to public safety by protecting illegal aliens, including dangerous actors, from arrest and removal by federal authorities, allowing these individuals to again violate the law in our communities.

These tragedies are preventable and unacceptable and the state and local governments responsible must face consequences for defying federal law and putting law-abiding Americans at risk. 

It’s long past time that Congress fully strip these lawless jurisdictions of federal taxpayer dollars and provide a full accounting of their abuses.”

The Sanctuary Penalty and Public Protection Act will:

• Strips all federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions that do the following:
  • Limits or bans communication with federal immigration authorities.
  • Fails to comply with an ICE detainer or fails to notify ICE of releasing of an alien from their custody.
  • Prohibits or restricts the Attorney General or the DHS Secretary from interviewing an incarcerated individual to determine whether the individual is an alien and, if so, whether the individual is lawfully present in the U.S.; or whether the individual is suspected of being involved in a crime.
  • If a government or law enforcement agency alerts its illegal alien residents of forthcoming ICE operations.
  • Prohibits local police from arresting previously deported illegal aliens.
• Mandates the creation of a public database of every sanctuary in the U.S.

Original cosponsors of the bill include Reps: Randy Weber (TX-14), Michael McCaul (TX-10), Barry Moore (AL-02), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Eli Crane (AZ-02), Ralph Norman (SC-06), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), Andy Harris (MD-01), Brian Babin (TX-36), Andrew Clyde (GA-09), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Andy Ogles (TN-09), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Lauren Boebert (CO-04), and Russ Fulcher (ID-01).

The Sanctuary Penalty and Public Protection Act is also supported by Immigration Accountability Project (IAP), Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE), Citizens for Renewing America (CRA), Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF), Advocates for Victims for Illegal Alien Crime (AVIAC), Alliance for a Safe and Secure Texas (ASST), The Remembrance Project (TRP), Heritage Action for America (HAFA), and America First Policy Institute (AFPI).

Comments from supporting organizations:

Grant Newman, Director of Government Relations, Immigration Accountability Project (IAP) said: "Sanctuary jurisdictions have obstructed immigration law enforcement for too long. In the worst sanctuaries, they ignore requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and repeatedly release criminal aliens onto American streets, where they often offend again. As a result, ICE is forced to allocate significant resources to locate and apprehend them. Congressman Roy's Sanctuary Penalty Public Protection Act would expose the jurisdictions endangering their communities and cut federal funding if they insist on standing in the way of immigration enforcement. The Immigration Accountability Project is proud to support this effort."

Maria Espinoza, National Director & Co-founder, The Remembrance Project (TRP) said:"Every American family deserves to feel safe in their own community. Citizens have a right to know which elected officials are placing them at risk by choosing to protect criminal illegal aliens over the safety and well-being of the public.  Transparency and accountability are essential to saving lives and to know who has failed our families. The Remembrance Project proudly supports Congressman Chip Roy’s Sanctuary Penalty and Public Protection Act of 2025.”

Joe Chatham, Director of Government Relations, Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) said: "The Sanctuary Penalty and Public Protection Act is a long-overdue course correction to hold state and local leaders accountable for defying our immigration laws.  Shielding illegal aliens has deadly consequences, and this critical bill takes commonsense steps towards restoring safety and order in communities across the country. FAIR is proud to stand behind Congressman Roy in the fight against sanctuary jurisdictions protecting illegal aliens, including dangerous criminals, at the expense of American lives and livelihoods."

Donald Rosenberg, Founder, Advocates for Victims of Illegal Alien Crime (AVIAC) said: "Where are we as a country when we need legislation to stop cities and states from protecting criminals at the expense of their citizens? It is beyond absurd to claim that sanctuary policies reduce crime. AVIAC is in full support of Rep. Roy’s Sanctuary Penalty and Public Protection Act but strongly condemns sanctuary laws and policies conceived almost exclusively by Democratic politicians.”

RJ Hauman, president of the National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE) said: "Sanctuary policies defy federal law, endanger American lives, and embolden criminal aliens. The Sanctuary Penalty and Public Protection Act calls out these lawless jurisdictions and hits them where it hurts: the checkbook. By creating a national database and cutting off funding, this bill restores accountability and puts public safety first. It’s long past time for cities and counties to choose—either uphold the law or forfeit federal dollars. Huge thank you to Congressman Chip Roy, one of the best in the fight.”

Selene Rodriguez, Campaign Director, Secure & Sovereign Texas, Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) said: "Sanctuary jurisdictions receive hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars while deliberately undermining the rule of law and putting American communities at risk. It is indefensible that federal funds continue to flow to governments that choose to shield criminals. This bill is a critical step toward restoring accountability and ensuring taxpayer money supports law and order—not the erosion of justice. The Texas Public Policy Foundation strongly supports this effort to safeguard the safety and sovereignty of our communities.”

Wade Miller, Executive Director with Citizens for Renewing America (CRA) said: "For far too long, cities, towns, and counties have gotten away with flouting, and at times out right defying, Federal immigration law, resulting in the assault, rape, and deaths of many Americans. Despite this, these cities have faced no loss of Federal funding and have been allowed to continue to ignore the law. Congressman Roy's bill would put a stop to this defiance and strip these so-called "sanctuary cities" of their Federal funding until they come into compliance with our existing laws, and help keep dangerous illegal aliens off of the streets of American cities."

Steve Chartan, Vice President of Government Relations, Heritage Action For America (HAFA) said: "Sanctuary cities waste millions in taxpayer dollars to shield illegal aliens from the consequences of breaking our nation’s laws at the expense of American families. Heritage Actions’ grassroots activists have long advocated for commonsense immigration policies that protect our communities. Jurisdictions that fail to comply with federal authorities must be exposed for their injustice. Thank you Congressman Chip Roy for introducing this critical legislation to defund and expose those sanctuary jurisdictions impeding immigration enforcement. It’s time for Congress to end taxpayer funding to these illegal sanctuaries and address the damage done by the Biden border crisis.”

Sheena Rodriguez, President, Alliance for a Safe and Secure Texas (ASST) said: "We must stop rewarding greedy, self-serving activist leaders who prioritize protecting violent criminals and dangerous political agendas over the needs and safety of their constituents and the American people by intentionally failing to comply with federal statutes. The ‘Sanctuary Penalty and Public Protection Act of 2025’ disincentivizes sanctuary jurisdictions by stripping federal funding—a much-needed step in the right direction to protect communities across the country.  We fully support and urge the swift passage of the ‘Sanctuary Penalty and Public Protection Act’. Thank you, Congressman Roy, for fighting to protect communities in Texas and the country!"

The Sanctuary Penalty and Public Protection Act can be read here.