Sponsors
The bill centralizes authority and creates a uniform federal rule that protects local resources and reduces regulatory patchwork, but it does so at the cost of limiting local action on ICC matters—potentially delaying arrests, creating enforcement gaps, reducing local policy autonomy and protections, and provoking diplomatic and legal conflicts.
Interstate businesses and organizations (and consumers they serve) face a single federal standard instead of a patchwork of state/local rules, making compliance simpler and reducing regulatory uncertainty for commerce.
State and local law enforcement and officials have clear rules that they should not execute or be compelled to execute ICC-directed arrests absent federal authorization, reducing legal uncertainty and protecting officers and local governments from international enforcement obligations.
Centralizes control over engagement with the International Criminal Court (ICC) with the federal government (Congress/President), preserving a single national policy on international law enforcement and foreign-relations decisions.
Immigrants and other individuals sought by the ICC on U.S. soil may avoid timely arrest because state/local authorities are barred from acting without federal authorization, potentially hindering international criminal prosecutions and justice.
U.S. diplomatic relations and international cooperation could suffer if the United States cannot or does not promptly cooperate with ICC requests, creating risks of diplomatic friction and weakening global justice partnerships.
Public safety could be reduced in particular cases where local police are prohibited from acting on ICC matters but federal resources are limited or delayed, creating enforcement gaps.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Bars state and local officials from arresting, detaining, or assisting the ICC on ICC-issued warrants or requests unless Congress or the President explicitly authorizes cooperation in a particular case.
Prohibits state, territorial, District of Columbia, and local officers and agencies from arresting, detaining, or otherwise depriving a foreign national of liberty based solely on requests, warrants, or indictments issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). It also bars state and local cooperation with the ICC — including use of funds, facilities, personnel, or equipment for that purpose — unless Congress passes a law authorizing a specific case or the President provides a written national-security certification and specific authorization. The law makes federal law controlling over any state or local law that would permit cooperation with the ICC and preserves the rest of the law if any part is found unconstitutional.
Introduced September 29, 2025 by Richard Lynn Scott · Last progress September 29, 2025