Sanctuary Penalty and Public Protection Act of 2025
Summary
The "Sanctuary Penalty and Public Protection Act of 2025" aims to amend the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. It mandates the creation of a database of sanctuary jurisdictions by the Department of Homeland Security and the Attorney General. These jurisdictions are defined as those with laws or policies that conflict with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Expected Effects
The primary effect would be to prohibit federal funds from being allocated to sanctuary jurisdictions. This could lead to significant financial strain on these jurisdictions, potentially impacting various public services. The Act also seeks to enhance federal immigration enforcement by ensuring cooperation from state and local entities.
Potential Benefits
- Increased cooperation between federal and local law enforcement.
- Potential reduction in crime committed by undocumented immigrants.
- More effective enforcement of existing immigration laws.
- Greater accountability for jurisdictions with conflicting policies.
- Potential cost savings for the federal government by withholding funds from non-compliant jurisdictions.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential strain on state and local budgets due to loss of federal funding.
- Possible erosion of trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.
- Increased risk of racial profiling and discrimination.
- Potential for legal challenges based on states' rights and federal overreach.
- Disruption of essential public services in sanctuary jurisdictions.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act's constitutionality could be debated under the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states. However, the Supremacy Clause (Article VI) asserts federal law as supreme when in conflict with state law. The Act's funding restrictions may also raise concerns about coercion of states, potentially violating principles of federalism.
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).