H.R.3237 - No Student Visas for Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3237, the "No Student Visas for Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025," aims to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act. It seeks to limit the availability of F and M student visas for institutions located in sanctuary jurisdictions. These are defined as states or local governments with policies that obstruct immigration enforcement.
Expected Effects
The bill would empower the Secretary of Homeland Security to identify sanctuary jurisdictions annually. Consequently, students seeking to study in these areas could be denied F or M visas. The prohibition could be lifted if the Secretary determines a jurisdiction is no longer a sanctuary and reports this to Congress.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially strengthens immigration enforcement by discouraging sanctuary policies.
- May enhance national security by limiting access to the US for individuals from jurisdictions deemed uncooperative with federal immigration authorities.
- Could incentivize local governments to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
- May reduce the strain on resources in sanctuary jurisdictions by limiting the influx of foreign students.
- Could lead to a more uniform application of immigration laws across the country.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Could negatively impact educational institutions in sanctuary jurisdictions by reducing their international student population and associated revenue.
- May deter talented international students from studying in the US, harming academic and research endeavors.
- Could be perceived as discriminatory towards international students based on the policies of the jurisdictions where they choose to study.
- May create administrative burdens for the Department of Homeland Security in identifying and monitoring sanctuary jurisdictions.
- Could strain relationships between the federal government and state/local governments with sanctuary policies.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is debatable. Congress has broad authority over immigration under Article I, Section 8, Clause 4, which grants the power to establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization. However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, potentially raising concerns about federal overreach into local law enforcement policies.
The bill could also face challenges under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment if it's deemed to unfairly target specific jurisdictions or groups of students. The First Amendment could also be invoked if the definition of 'sanctuary jurisdiction' is overly broad and infringes on free speech or association.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).