Republican Senator Proposes Bill To Let Victims Of Illegal Immigrants Sue Sanctuary Cities

In a notable action taken just days following the inauguration of President Donald Trump, two prominent legislators from North Carolina have reintroduced pioneering legislation that directly targets sanctuary city policies. U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) and U.S. Senator Thom Tillis are spearheading this initiative with the reintroduction of the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act, which would empower victims of crimes perpetrated by illegal immigrants to file lawsuits against sanctuary cities that protect these offenders from immigration law enforcement.

This assertive action is part of the Trump administration’s extensive effort to combat illegal immigration, which encompasses mass raids, deportations, and stringent new policies aimed at sanctuary cities—areas that refuse to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests. According to the proposed legislation, sanctuary cities would incur significant penalties, including the loss of federal funding, for their noncompliance with federal immigration laws.

The essence of the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act is the belief that cities that jeopardize the safety of American citizens by sheltering criminal illegal immigrants must be held responsible. In a collaborative press release, Sen. Tillis and Rep. Edwards highlighted the threat that sanctuary cities pose to public safety by neglecting to honor ICE detainer requests or to share vital information regarding illegal immigrants with criminal histories.

“Sanctuary cities jeopardize public safety by refusing to comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests or to provide information about illegal immigrants who are in custody and possess criminal records,” the legislators stated. “These sanctuary jurisdictions have permitted the release of dangerous illegal immigrants into communities, thereby compromising public safety.”

One of the primary provisions of the bill is that it would permit victims and their families to take legal action against sanctuary cities for damages resulting from the release of illegal immigrants who have perpetrated violent crimes. Specifically, if a local jurisdiction neglects to comply with a lawful immigration detainer request issued by the Department of Homeland Security, families would have the authority to hold those cities responsible for the subsequent criminal activities.

Rep. Edwards, who has consistently expressed concerns regarding the threats posed by sanctuary cities, made a compelling statement in favor of the bill: “Sanctuary cities have protected many of the nearly 650,000 criminal illegal immigrants in the United States from facing repercussions for their violent offenses against innocent Americans for far too long.” He further stated, “Sanctuary cities cannot continue to endanger the safety of Americans without being held accountable for their involvement in the illegal immigrant crime crisis we are currently confronting.”

Sen. Tillis, who is spearheading the Senate counterpart bill, reiterated Edwards’ views, asserting, “For far too long, we have observed local jurisdictions in North Carolina and throughout the nation disregard the lawful notifications and detainer requests made by ICE agents, opting instead to release dangerous criminals back into their communities, thereby endangering innocent lives.”

Both legislators expressed their support for President Trump’s initiatives to address illegal immigration and safeguard American citizens. Sen. Tillis emphasized his commitment to collaborating with the president to ensure that sanctuary cities no longer prioritize political agendas over public safety. “I am dedicated to working with President Trump to eradicate illegal immigration and combat sanctuary cities that favor reckless, unlawful policies over the safety of the public,” Tillis asserted.

Through the “Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act,” President Trump and his Republican allies in Congress are firmly opposing the detrimental policies associated with sanctuary cities, guaranteeing that American families will no longer be endangered by municipalities that decline to uphold immigration law. It is imperative that these sanctuary cities confront the repercussions of their irresponsible behaviors—and this legislation represents a positive advancement.