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, aims to compel the District of Columbia to fully comply with federal immigration laws. The bill prohibits the District from enacting or maintaining any policy that restricts its entities or officials from sharing immigration status information with federal, state, or local government entities. It also requires the District to comply with detainer requests from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under sections 236 and 287 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would eliminate any sanctuary policies in the District of Columbia. This would lead to increased cooperation between the District and federal immigration authorities. The District would be required to share information and comply with detainer requests, potentially leading to more deportations.
Potential Benefits
- Increased cooperation between local and federal authorities on immigration matters.
- Potential for improved public safety through the apprehension of individuals who may pose a threat.
- Reinforcement of federal immigration laws within the District of Columbia.
- May lead to a more consistent application of immigration laws across different jurisdictions.
- Could deter individuals from entering or remaining in the U.S. unlawfully.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential erosion of trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement.
- Increased risk of racial profiling and discrimination.
- Strain on local resources due to increased involvement in federal immigration enforcement.
- Possible chilling effect on victims and witnesses of crimes coming forward if they fear deportation.
- Potential conflict with the District of Columbia's self-governance and local policy preferences.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality 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 Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states (or to the people), and the extent to which this applies to the District is debated. The bill's impact on individual rights, particularly due process and equal protection, could also raise constitutional concerns under the Fifth Amendment.
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).