H.R. 4838

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To establish criminal liability for mayors of sanctuary cities in cases of murder committed by undocumented immigrants within their jurisdiction, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · August 1, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Carter of Georgia · Committee: Committee on the Judiciary

H.R. 4838

SEC. 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the or the .

SEC. 2. Criminal liability for mayors of sanctuary cities

(a) In general
- of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the following new section: Chapter 51; section 1112

SEC. 1112A.. Criminal liability for mayors of sanctuary cities

(1) Offense
- A mayor of a sanctuary city shall be guilty of criminal negligence resulting in manslaughter if—
  - an undocumented immigrant commits murder, as defined under applicable State or Federal law, within the jurisdiction of the sanctuary city; and
  - the mayor knowingly adopted, maintained, or failed to repeal a sanctuary policy that materially restricted cooperation with Federal immigration enforcement, and such policy directly and foreseeably contributed to the failure to detain or remove the undocumented immigrant prior to the commission of the murder.
(2) Penalty
- A mayor convicted under this section shall be subject to—
  - imprisonment for not more than 7 years, a fine under title 18, or both; and
  - mandatory removal or disqualification from public office upon conviction.
(3) Causation
- For the purposes of this section, a sanctuary policy shall be deemed to have if it created a substantial risk that an undocumented immigrant who committed murder could avoid detention or removal. directly and foreseeably contributed

SEC. 3. Enforcement

The Attorney General shall have exclusive authority to investigate and prosecute offenses under this Act.
The United States District Courts shall have original jurisdiction over any criminal proceeding arising under this Act.
Federal courts shall have jurisdiction over cases brought under this Act.

SEC. 4. Definitions

For the purposes of this Act:
- Sanctuary city means any political subdivision of a State that, by law, ordinance, policy, or practice, prohibits or substantially restricts local law enforcement or municipal agencies from—
- Undocumented immigrant means any person who is present in the United States without lawful immigration status as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq.
- Mayor means the chief executive officer of a municipal government, whether elected or appointed.

SEC. 5. Severability

If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the Act, and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.

SEC. 6. Effective date

This Act shall take effect 90 days after the date of its enactment.