House passes bill to withhold certain federal grants from 'sanctuary cities'

Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would advance one of President Donald Trump's campaign promises against so-called "sanctuary cities."

HR 3003, called "No Sanctuary for Criminals Act," passed largely along party lines 228-195 on June 29, 2017.

The bill said no federal, state or local government entity and no individual may prohibit or in any way restrict officials and personnel at all levels of government from complying with immigration laws, "or from assisting or cooperating with federal law enforcement entities, officials, or other personnel regarding the enforcement of these laws."

The bill refers to immigration laws as those defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(17), relating to the immigration, exclusion, deportation, expulsion or removal of aliens.

HR 3003, introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., seeks to prevent the prohibition or restriction of:

• inquiries related to an individual's immigration status;

• responses to requests for such information from federal law enforcement;

• and notifications to the federal government of the presence of individuals encountered by law enforcement.

States or political subdivisions of states that do not comply with provisions in the bill would not be eligible for certain Justice Department grants or for grants administered by the departments of Homeland Security and Justice that are "substantially related to law enforcement, terrorism, national security, immigration, or naturalization," according to the bill.

Funds would be redirected to other entities that do comply, the bill said.

The bill also aims to clarify the authority regarding detainer requests from U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement.

ICE sends forms to local law enforcement agencies letting them know they intend to take into custody individuals for whom there's probable cause that they are deportable before they are released. The detainer asks local agencies to maintain individuals in custody for up to 48 hours.

Some jurisdictions limit their cooperation with ICE detainers, claiming it can harm the trust and relationship between local law enforcement and immigrant communities. They also contend immigration enforcement is a federal not local duty.

If an individual is arrested for allegedly violating any criminal or motor vehicle law, detainers for them may be issued if there's probable cause the individual can be deported, Goodlatte's bill said.

President Donald Trump expressed support for the bill June 28 during an immigration roundtable.

In April, A California judge granted a nationwide preliminary injunction that temporarily blocked a section of an executive order signed by Trump to withhold federal funds from "sanctuary cities."

The bill passed by the House, however, is another approach toward the president's promise. It still has to go through the Senate and be signed by the president.

We move this promise from Stalled to In the Works.