Sponsors (2)
The bill strengthens federal-local information-sharing to aid immigration enforcement and public-safety targeting, at the cost of increased detention/deportation risk for immigrants, weakened local policy autonomy, and potential erosion of community trust in policing.
District government entities and federal immigration authorities (DHS) can share immigration-status information and coordinate on notifications and detainer requests, making it easier for DHS to identify and seek holds on noncitizens with criminal records.
Immigrants (including lawful residents) face increased risk of detention or deportation because local officials must share status information and honor DHS requests.
Residents and communities may lose trust in local law enforcement, reducing cooperation with police and potentially harming public safety.
Local governments will have reduced ability to enact or maintain sanctuary-style policies tailored to protect resident privacy or limit deportation risk.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Barred D.C. policies that restrict sharing immigration-status information and required compliance with DHS detainer/notification requests.
Prohibits the District of Columbia from enforcing any law, policy, or practice that prevents District officials or entities from sharing, receiving, retaining, or exchanging information about a person's citizenship or immigration status with federal, state, or local governments. It also requires the District to comply with lawful Department of Homeland Security requests under INA §§236 and 287 to honor detainers or notify DHS when an individual will be released. The bill does not create new funding, deadlines, or programs; it only sets a federal limitation on the District’s ability to adopt or maintain so-called "sanctuary" restrictions that would block cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Official title: To require the District of Columbia to comply with federal immigration laws.
Introduced March 11, 2025 by Clay Higgins · Last progress June 12, 2025