Ricketts, Tillis Lead Effort to Stop Sanctuary Cities, Deport Criminal Illegal Aliens, and Provide Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Policies
March 12, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) led the introduction of two bills to stop sanctuary cities and keep our communities safe from the failed policies of liberal politicians that have allowed violent criminal illegal immigrants to continue committing crimes.
The first bill, the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act, would fight sanctuary policies and provide justice for the victims and their families who are harmed when sanctuary jurisdictions put public safety in danger. Specifically, this legislation establishes a private right of action for any individual, spouse, parent or child who is a victim of murder, rape or any felony (as defined by the State), to bring an action against a State or political subdivision of a State if the entity declined to honor a lawful immigration detainer request for an alien by the Department of Homeland Security. In addition, this legislation would require a State or political subdivision of a State to waive immunity as a condition of receiving certain federal grants.
The second bill, the Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act, would clarify DHS detainer authority, clearly establish the authority of states and localities to maintain custody in cases in which a detainer has been issued, and incentivize cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the Department through the reimbursement of certain detention, technology, and litigation-related costs.
“Sanctuary states and cities that refuse to enforce the law make Americans less safe,” said Senator Ricketts. “Adding incentives for cooperation with ICE will get dangerous criminals off our streets. These two bills would bring needed accountability to those who facilitate illegal immigration and bring justice for the victims of sanctuary policies.”
“For too long, we have watched local jurisdictions in North Carolina and across the country ignore the lawful notification and detainer requests made by ICE agents, instead releasing dangerous criminals back into the communities and putting innocent lives at risk,” said Senator Tillis. “It is clear President Biden and liberal politicians want to prioritize reckless sanctuary policies over public safety. It is time for Congress to step in and put an end to this madness by holding sanctuary cities accountable and empowering ICE to gain custody of criminal illegal immigrants so they can’t cause more harm and violence.”
Both pieces of legislation are co-sponsored by Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Tim Scott (R-SC), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Tom Cotton (R-AR). Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is a co-sponsor of the Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act.
The introduction of these two bills comes following the brutal murder of Laken Riley while she was running on the UGA campus by Jose Ibarra, who had been arrested twice before but released before a detainer could be issued. Other additional incidents involving sanctuary city policies include:
- On February 26, 2024, Nilson Granados-Trejo was charged with first and second-degree murder of a 2 year-old in Prince George’s County. Twice, Granados-Trejo was arrested and ICE issued a detainer which was not honored by Montgomery County.
- On February 14, 2024, Stephen Claude Rattigan shot three DC police officers who were serving a warrant for animal cruelty. He had been previously deported and returned to the country illegally.
- On February 8, 2024, Jesus Alejandro Rivas-Figeuroa shot at NYPD officers, shot at a security guard, and shot a tourist. He is also a suspect in a previous gunpoint robbery.
Read text of the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act HERE.
Read text of the Immigration Detainer Enforcement Act HERE.