U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) has put forth the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act, aiming to bring justice to victims and their families affected by illegal immigrants in sanctuary city policies. The legislation has found support from Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), who is leading the Senate companion bill.
According to Edwards, sanctuary cities pose a threat to public safety by not cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer requests, leading to the release of illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds into communities. Edwards expressed his concern, stating, “Sanctuary cities are compromising Americans’ safety by refusing to cooperate with ICE, allowing the release of illegal immigrants with criminal records to freely roam the streets in our neighborhoods.”
Senator Tillis echoed Edwards’ sentiments, emphasizing the dangers posed by sanctuary cities. He stated, “For too long, we have watched local jurisdictions in North Carolina and across the country ignore the lawful notification and detainer requests made by ICE agents and instead release dangerous criminals back into their communities and put innocent lives at risk.”
The proposed Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act includes provisions such as prohibiting specific federal grants for sanctuary jurisdictions, establishing a private right of action for victims or their families to bring civil suits against states or political subdivisions that fail to honor lawful immigration detainer requests, and ensuring that jurisdictions are not labeled as sanctuary solely based on non-cooperation with detainers for immigrant victims or witnesses of criminal offenses. Additionally, the act allows victims to seek reasonable attorneys’ fees.
The bill aims to address the repercussions of sanctuary policies, holding jurisdictions accountable for their non-compliance with federal immigration enforcement. Tillis emphasized the importance of public safety, stating, “The Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act is commonsense legislation that will enhance public safety and hold sanctuary jurisdictions accountable for their refusal to cooperate with federal law enforcement.”
The introduction of the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act signifies a step towards seeking justice for individuals impacted by illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policies and public safety in the United States.
