# Plain Language Summary: ERIC ADAMS Act of 2025

This bill would make mayors of "sanctuary cities" criminally liable if an undocumented immigrant commits murder within their city. Specifically, a mayor could be charged with criminal negligence resulting in manslaughter if two things happen: an undocumented immigrant commits murder in their jurisdiction, and the mayor knowingly adopted or maintained a sanctuary policy that restricted cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The bill requires that the sanctuary policy directly and foreseeably contributed to the failure to detain or remove that specific person before they committed the murder. If convicted, a mayor could face up to seven years in prison, fines, and mandatory removal from office.

The bill defines a sanctuary city as any local government that prohibits or substantially restricts its police or agencies from cooperating with federal immigration authorities or complying with immigration detention requests. The federal government would have exclusive authority to investigate and prosecute these cases through federal courts. The law would take effect 90 days after being signed into law.

This is a highly controversial proposal that raises significant legal questions. Critics argue it holds mayors personally responsible for crimes they didn't commit and didn't directly cause, which could violate constitutional principles. It also creates an extremely high bar for prosecution—prosecutors would need to prove not just that a sanctuary policy existed, but that it specifically and foreseeably led to this particular person not being detained before committing murder. Supporters argue it creates accountability for policies they believe endanger public safety. The bill would likely face legal challenges if passed, as courts have previously ruled that cities have some authority to set their own law enforcement priorities.