Bill · S. 4316· Senate(119-S-4316)
Sanctuary City Elimination Act
- Introduced
- 4/16/2026
- Last activity
- 4/16/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- John Cornyn
- Cosponsors
- - 8 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Sanctuary City Elimination Act" aims to facilitate cooperation between State/local law enforcement and Federal officials regarding individuals illegally present in the U.S. It establishes that local entities complying with Department of Homeland Security detainers are deemed agents of the Federal government. The bill provides legal immunity to States and local officials acting in compliance with these detainers. It defines "sanctuary jurisdictions" as those that restrict information sharing or detainer compliance. Finally, the Act makes these jurisdictions ineligible for various Federal grants and funds.
Yes
Does this change how police departments operate?+5
The bill facilitates cooperation between local and federal law enforcement by granting specific legal authority and protections to local officers acting as federal agents.
The opposite· 3 of 8
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-6
The bill reduces the autonomy of states by penalizing them for their local policies through the withholding of federal funds.
Does this put more money into public schools?-5
The bill makes sanctuary jurisdictions ineligible for various federal education grants, including elementary and secondary education funds.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-4
The bill reduces access to community development block grants which are often used for low-income community support.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Legal Protection for Local Officers: Under Section 2(a), local officers complying with federal detainers are deemed agents of the Department of Homeland Security, granting them the same authority as federal employees.
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Liability Shield for Governments: Section 2(b) ensures that no liability lies against a State or political subdivision for actions taken in compliance with a federal detainer.
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Legal Protection for Individual Officers: Section 2(b)(2) provides that officers acting in compliance with a detainer are deemed to be acting within the scope of their employment, which provides legal protections.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Loss of Federal Grant Funding for Communities: Section 4 makes "sanctuary jurisdictions" ineligible for various Federal grants, including those for education, environmental education, and economic development.
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Financial Burden on Education: Section 4(a)(3) prevents the allocation of grants to State or local educational agencies that are deemed sanctuary jurisdictions.
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Loss of Environmental and Economic Funding: Section 4(a)(2) and Section 4(c) prevent the provision of financial assistance for environmental education and economic development projects in sanctuary jurisdictions.
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Legal Standing for Lawsuits Against Federal Entities: Section 4 includes various provisions that allow the attorney general of a state to bring legal actions against federal agencies or entities to require the withholding of funds from sanctuary jurisdictions if a released alien commits a crime.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding-5Improves College Affordability-3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households-4Good For Urban Residents-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights-6
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth-3Reduces Government Spending-2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-4
- 7/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
John BarrassoRepublican · Wyoming
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
Lindsey GrahamRepublican · South Carolina
- Darline Graham
Republican · South Carolina
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Tim ScottRepublican · South Carolina
Eric SchmittRepublican · Missouri