Tillis, Budd introduce ‘Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act’

On Wednesday, North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd introduced the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities, aiming to combat sanctuary policies and provide justice for victims harmed by these jurisdictions. The legislation coincided with President Donald Trump’s executive order to close the southern border, marking a significant push on immigration policy.

“For far too long, we have watched local jurisdictions in North Carolina and across the country ignore the lawful notification and detainer requests made by ICE agents and instead release dangerous criminals back into their communities, putting innocent lives at risk,” said Tillis in a press release. “I am committed to working with President Trump to end illegal immigration and fight sanctuary cities that prioritize reckless, lawless policies over public safety. It is clear that liberal politicians want to put political ideology ahead of the safety of their constituents. It is time for Congress to step in and hold sanctuary cities accountable.”

The bill would provide an option for recourse for victims and families of victims of crimes committed by an illegal immigrant. 

“Any individual, or a spouse, parent, or child of such individual (if the individual is deceased or permanently incapacitated), who is the victim of a murder, rape, or any felony (as defined by the State in which the crime occurred) for which an alien has been arrested, convicted, or sentenced to a term of imprisonment of at least 1 year, may bring an action for compensatory damages against a State or a political subdivision of a State, in the appropriate Federal or State court, if such State or political subdivision failed,” reads the legislation.  

“This is a matter of public safety and the rule of law. It’s long past time that cities who refuse to enforce our immigration laws face legal consequences,” said Budd. “When laws are not enforced, preventable tragedies occur. That has to stop. Our bill will put lawless cities on notice and make sure they enforce our laws and keep our streets safe. I’d like to thank Senator Tillis for leading these efforts.”

US Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-NC11, plans to introduce a companion bill in the House.

“For far too long, sanctuary cities have shielded many of the nearly 650,000 criminal illegal immigrants in the United States from facing the consequences for their violent crimes against innocent Americans,” said Edwards. “Sanctuary cities cannot continue to jeopardize Americans’ safety and not be held accountable for their role in the illegal immigrant crime crisis we are facing today. The Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act will finally hold these communities responsible when their harmful, often illegal, policies result in a crime against an American citizen by allowing the victim to take legal action against counties, cities, or towns for the dangerous policies that directly led to their harm.”

The legislation’s introduction in the Senate coincides with Trump’s executive order effectively closing down the southern border. 

“Through the exercise of his authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Constitution of the United States, President Trump is authorizing and directing the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Department of State to take all necessary action to immediately repel, repatriate, and remove illegal aliens across the southern border of the United States,” according to a White House Fact Sheet.

This aligns with the priorities the Trump Administration outlined directly after his swearing-in on Monday. 

President Trump will take bold action to secure our border and protect American communities.

This includes ending Biden’s catch-and-release policies, reinstating Remain in Mexico, building the wall, ending asylum for illegal border crossers, cracking down on criminal sanctuaries, and enhancing vetting and screening of aliens.

President Trump’s deportation operation will address the record border crossings of criminal aliens under the prior administration.

The President is suspending refugee resettlement, after communities were forced to house large and unsustainable populations of migrants, straining community safety and resources.

The Armed Forces, including the National Guard, will engage in border security, which is national security, and will be deployed to the border to assist existing law enforcement personnel.

Trump-Vance Administration Priorities

In North Carolina, state lawmakers previously passed HB 10 following a veto override vote. Now state law, the statute requires sheriffs to cooperate with ICE by notifying the federal agency 48 hours before releasing illegal aliens charged with crimes back into the community.

The requirement only applies to charges of violent crimes or violent misdemeanors. It does not apply to nonviolent crimes such as driving without a license. 

This is not the first time that this legislation has been introduced at the federal level. Tillis and Edwards both introduced similar bills under the 118th Congress, HR 7628 and SB 3927. However, the latest filing is expected to enjoy more favorable support as the US Senate and White House have returned to Republican control.

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