States and cities that have "sanctuary" policies — laws that limit how much local police cooperate with federal immigration enforcement — would lose access to all federal funding under this bill. Specifically, any state or local government that prevents its officers from responding to immigration detainers (requests to hold someone for up to 48 hours so ICE can pick them up) would be cut off. Local governments within a defunded state could apply directly for federal money if they themselves comply. The bill affects every community that receives federal grants, from public safety to infrastructure.
Congressional Summary
Help Ensure Legal Detainers Act or the HELD ActThis bill prohibits the use of federal funds by a state or local subdivision that has in effect a law, policy, or procedure that prevents or impedesa timely response to a request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for information about an alien in state or local custody, including the alien's estimated release date; orcompliance with a request from ICE to hold an alien for up to 48 hours so that ICE may assume custody.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-03-04
- Date Added
- 2026-04-06