H.R.2056 - District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 2056, the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act of 2025, mandates that the District of Columbia comply with federal immigration laws. Specifically, it prohibits the District from enacting or maintaining any statute, ordinance, policy, or practice that restricts communication with federal immigration authorities or compliance with detainer requests.
The bill aims to prevent the District of Columbia from operating as a "sanctuary jurisdiction." It requires the District to share information regarding the citizenship or immigration status of individuals with federal, state, and local government entities.
The Act also compels the District to comply with requests from the Department of Homeland Security under sections 236 and 287 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, related to detainers and notifications about the release of individuals.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely lead to increased cooperation between the District of Columbia government and federal immigration authorities. This could result in more individuals being detained and potentially deported due to immigration status.
It may also change local law enforcement practices within the District. This could affect community relations and the perception of local law enforcement among immigrant communities.
Furthermore, the Act could impact the District's budget, as compliance with federal immigration laws may require additional resources for training, personnel, and data management.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced enforcement of federal immigration laws within the District of Columbia.
- Improved information sharing between local and federal authorities regarding immigration status.
- Increased compliance with Department of Homeland Security detainer requests.
- Potential reduction in crime committed by individuals unlawfully present in the United States (though this is debated).
- Reinforcement of the principle that federal law supersedes local policies in matters of immigration.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential erosion of trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement.
- Increased risk of racial profiling and discrimination.
- Possible strain on the District of Columbia's resources due to increased enforcement activities.
- Concerns about the impact on due process and civil rights of individuals.
- Potential for the law to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations within the District.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act's constitutional alignment is complex. Congress has broad authority over the District of Columbia under Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 of the Constitution, which grants Congress the power to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over the District.
However, the Act could raise concerns related to the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states (or to the people). While the District is not a state, arguments could be made about federal overreach into local affairs.
Additionally, the Act's implementation could potentially implicate the Fourth Amendment (protection against unreasonable searches and seizures) and the Fifth Amendment (due process) if not carefully applied.
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).