Congressman Nick Langworthy of New York has introduced the Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025. The proposed legislation aims to block federal funding for sanctuary jurisdictions that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts, particularly in sharing immigration status information or responding to ICE detainer requests.
Langworthy stated, “The violence we are seeing happen in LA right now is a cautionary tale for New York, another sanctuary state catering to criminal illegal immigrants and left-wing extremists.” He emphasized the need for state and local governments to comply with federal immigration enforcement, warning that failure to do so would result in withholding federal financial assistance. Langworthy further expressed support for ICE officers and law enforcement, stating, “We must stand with our heroic ICE officers, our men and women in blue, and with the American people who cry out for safety and common sense in their local governments.”
The legislation seeks to clarify legal authority for local and state law enforcement to honor federal immigration detainer requests by designating officers who comply as acting as federal agents. It also aims to protect law enforcement from liability when cooperating with federal immigration authorities. The bill targets jurisdictions that defy lawful detainer requests and shield illegal immigrants from removal.
The bill’s original cosponsors include Representatives Byron Donalds (R-FL), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Chuck Edwards (R-NC), Dave Taylor (R-OH), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), John McGuire (R-VA), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Mike Collins (R-GA), Pat Harrigan (R-NC), John Rose (R-TN), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Van Orden (R-WI), and William Timmons (R-SC).
Chairwoman Elise Stefanik criticized New York State’s sanctuary cities policy under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership: “Sanctuary cities in New York State shield criminal illegals while hurting law-abiding citizens.” She argued that such policies incentivize illegal migration into the state, overburden social services, increase housing costs, and reduce wages.
In the Senate, Senator Ted Cruz leads the companion bill with support from Republican Senators Tim Sheehy (MT), Ron Johnson (WI), James Lankford (OK), Ted Budd (NC), Chuck Grassley (IA), Pete Ricketts (NE), Rick Scott (FL), Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Kevin Cramer (ND), Deb Fischer (NE), Bill Hagerty (TN), John Hoeven (ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith(MS) Jim Banks(IN) Eric Schmitt(MO) Bernie Moreno(OH) Katie Britt(AL).
