Sponsors (3)
The bill centralizes control over U.S. cooperation with the ICC—providing a uniform Federal standard and protecting local resources—while trading off faster, decentralized cooperation and potential access to international justice, which may delay prosecutions and create safe-haven risks for accused foreign nationals.
State and local law enforcement and federal agencies: the bill establishes Federal control and a single national rule for responding to International Criminal Court (ICC) requests, reducing conflicting subnational actions and legal uncertainty.
State and local governments and taxpayers: the bill bars use of state/local funds, personnel, or facilities to assist ICC arrests and prevents state/local authorities from acting on ICC requests without Federal authorization, protecting local budgets and resources for domestic priorities.
State and local agencies: the bill prevents them from being compelled to arrest or detain foreign nationals solely on ICC warrants, reducing the risk that local law enforcement becomes entangled in international prosecutions.
Victims of international crimes and local prosecutors: centralizing decisions with the Federal government can prevent or delay state/local cooperation with ICC-related investigations (arrests, evidence-sharing), reducing timely access to international justice.
International-accused individuals and global accountability: the bill may allow foreign nationals accused by the ICC to avoid arrest while in U.S. jurisdictions, creating de facto safe havens and complicating U.S. support for international justice.
Federal government and taxpayers: centralizing ICC-cooperation decisions can increase Federal administrative burdens, cause delays, and raise costs for Federal agencies.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Preempts state and local authorities from executing or assisting ICC arrest/detention requests for foreign nationals unless Congress or the President specifically authorizes cooperation for a case.
Introduced September 16, 2025 by Elise M. Stefanik · Last progress September 16, 2025
Prevents state, territorial, District of Columbia, and local officers and agencies from arresting, detaining, or otherwise depriving a foreign national of liberty based solely on process issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), and bars use of local funds, personnel, facilities, or equipment to assist the ICC. Exceptions allow cooperation only if Congress enacts a specific law for a particular case or the President certifies a national security need and issues a written authorization. Makes federal law controlling over any state or local law that would permit ICC-related arrests or cooperation, and says if any part of the law is struck down, the rest still stands.