Sponsors (2)
Introduced February 25, 2026 by Richard Lynn Scott · Last progress February 25, 2026
The bill aims to strengthen federal immigration enforcement and incentivize local cooperation by conditioning DHS event-security funds and reallocating withheld monies to enforcement and border operations, at the trade-off of reduced federal support and increased enforcement pressure in noncooperative jurisdictions with risks to local budgets, public-safety at events, and immigrants' rights.
Local and state governments, event organizers, and attendees in jurisdictions that cooperate with DHS will continue to receive SEAR funds and federal event-security support, improving protection at public events.
DHS, local officials, and taxpayers get a clearer definition of "sanctuary jurisdiction" and certification requirements, increasing predictability and accountability about when federal event-security assistance will be withheld or provided.
Border communities and law enforcement may see increased operational capacity because funds withheld from ineligible jurisdictions are reallocated to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and other border-related removals and operations.
Residents, attendees, and local jurisdictions designated as "sanctuary" could lose DHS SEAR event-security and response funding, reducing public safety and security at public events in those areas.
Immigrant communities face increased risk of arrest, detention, and deportation as withheld funds are redirected to enforcement and conditionality increases federal immigration pressure in affected jurisdictions.
Tying federal security assistance to immigration compliance may chill local policy choices, force changes in information-sharing or detention practices, create legal and administrative burdens for local law enforcement, and strain federal–local relations.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Conditions federal special-event security assistance on jurisdictions’ compliance with specified federal immigration laws and redirects withheld funds to ICE enforcement.
Conditions Department of Homeland Security special event security support on whether a state or locality is a "sanctuary jurisdiction" as defined by the bill. Jurisdictions deemed sanctuary jurisdictions are barred from receiving SEAR-related federal funds and resources for events unless they certify compliance with certain federal immigration-law provisions within set notice and timing rules. Funds withheld because of ineligibility must be reallocated to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, with at least half prioritized for border-related removals and enforcement. The Secretary must report to Congress every six months on withheld amounts, reallocations, enforcement results, and effects on event security risks.