In the early days of President Donald Trump’s term, two North Carolina lawmakers have renewed efforts to address sanctuary city policies with the reintroduction of the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act. U.S. Representative Chuck Edwards (NC-11) and U.S. Senator Thom Tillis are leading the initiative, which seeks to establish legal accountability for municipalities that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
The proposed legislation would allow individuals or families affected by crimes committed by undocumented immigrants—who were released from custody despite federal requests for detention—to seek civil damages from local jurisdictions that declined to comply with those requests.
This move aligns with broader policy goals set forth by the Trump administration to address immigration enforcement and promote cooperation between local authorities and federal agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a joint statement, Sen. Tillis and Rep. Edwards emphasized their belief that public safety can be compromised when local jurisdictions do not honor federal detainer requests or share relevant information with immigration authorities. “These sanctuary jurisdictions have, in some cases, allowed individuals with prior criminal records to reenter communities,” the lawmakers stated.
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A central provision of the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act is the ability for crime victims to pursue civil action against municipalities that have declined to honor lawful detainer requests and subsequently released individuals later found to be involved in violent acts. Supporters of the bill argue that it ensures a path to accountability for decisions that may have led to public harm.
Rep. Edwards noted, “Local jurisdictions that decline to comply with federal requests may unintentionally contribute to situations that put public safety at risk. This bill offers a mechanism to review and respond to such cases.”
Sen. Tillis echoed these views, expressing concerns about instances in which law enforcement notifications have gone unheeded. “This legislation is designed to ensure stronger cooperation between all levels of government in the interest of public safety,” he said.
The lawmakers also expressed their intention to work closely with the current administration to revisit and potentially revise immigration enforcement strategies nationwide. Tillis emphasized the importance of balancing public safety priorities with legal oversight and cooperation among federal, state, and local agencies.
While sanctuary city policies remain a subject of ongoing national debate, the reintroduction of this legislation reflects continued efforts by some lawmakers to redefine how local governments interact with federal immigration authorities. The Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act is now under review and will be subject to further discussion in Congress.
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