# Plain Language Summary: Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act

This bill would cut off federal funding to cities and states that don't cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Specifically, it targets places that violate a 1996 federal law requiring local police and government agencies to share immigration status information with federal authorities. Under this bill, if a city or state is found to be limiting cooperation with immigration enforcement, it would lose access to federal money—and that's a lot of money. Federal funding supports everything from highway construction and public transit to education programs, law enforcement grants, and social services.

The bill gives the Attorney General the power to decide which cities and states are "sanctuary jurisdictions" that aren't cooperating enough. Once labeled non-compliant, a jurisdiction would lose all federal financial assistance for at least a year. To get the funding back, the Attorney General would have to officially certify that the place is now following the rules. The Attorney General would publish a list every March 1st showing which jurisdictions are out of compliance, and Congress members could also request reports on specific cities or states.

The practical impact would be significant for residents in affected areas. A city that loses federal funding might have to cut police and fire department budgets, reduce public transportation, delay road repairs, or scale back education and social programs. The bill essentially uses the threat of losing federal money to pressure local governments to change their policies around immigration enforcement, even if those policies reflect what local voters and leaders prefer. This creates a conflict between what communities want locally and what the federal government is demanding in exchange for funding.

Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act

Duncan, Jeff

Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act This bill imposes penalties on certain state and local governments that do not assist federal immigration enforcement actions. Specifically, a state or local government shall be ineligible for federal financial assistance for at least one year if it restricts or prohibits an agency or official from (1) communicating with the responsible federal immigration agency regarding an individual's citizenship or immigration status, or (2) maintaining or exchanging information about an individual's status. Such governmental entities are sometimes referred to as sanctuary cities or jurisdictions. The bill restores assistance eligibility upon a Department of Justice (DOJ) determination that the jurisdiction no longer takes such actions. DOJ shall determine each year which state or local jurisdictions are not in compliance with immigration requirements and report such determination to Congress.