No Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026

Legislative Summary: No Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026 (H.R. 7423)

Overview

The No Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026 seeks to eliminate "sanctuary" policies at the state and local levels by mandating the sharing of immigration-related information between local governments and federal authorities. The bill amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to ensure that state and local law enforcement agencies cooperate fully with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the citizenship and custodial status of individuals.

Key Provisions

1. Prohibition of Restrictive Information Policies

The bill prohibits any state or political subdivision (such as cities or counties) from enacting policies that "materially restrict" the sharing of information with the DHS. This includes:
* Information Sharing: Local governments cannot block, delay, or penalize the sharing of data regarding an individual's immigration status, custody status, release dates, or detention locations.
* Protection of Officials: Local governments are forbidden from disciplining or retaliating against government employees who lawfully share this information with federal authorities.
* Removal of Hurdles: The bill prohibits requirements for supervisory approval or procedural delays that would hinder the timely transmission of information.

2. Mandatory Release Notifications

The Act establishes strict requirements for notifying the DHS when an individual is released from criminal custody:
* Scheduled Releases: If a release is planned 48 hours in advance, notice must be provided to the DHS within that 48-hour window.
* Unscheduled Releases: If a court orders an immediate release, the local government must notify the DHS immediately and hold the individual for up to 48 hours to allow federal authorities to assume custody.

3. Officer Immunity

To prevent local law enforcement from fearing lawsuits for cooperating with federal immigration authorities, the bill grants state and local officers the same level of personal liability immunity as federal law enforcement officers when performing duties related to the identification, detention, or transfer of aliens to federal custody.

Enforcement and Penalties

The bill provides the federal government with two primary mechanisms to ensure compliance:
* Civil Litigation: The Attorney General may file lawsuits in U.S. district courts to seek injunctive relief (court orders) to force compliance.
* Financial Penalties: Any state or local government found by a court to be in "knowing violation" of these rules may be deemed ineligible for Department of Justice (DOJ) grants intended for law enforcement purposes.

Affected Parties

• State and Local Governments: Cities and counties that currently maintain "sanctuary" policies would be required to overhaul their regulations and practices.
• Law Enforcement Officers: Local police and correctional officers would be mandated to share data and would receive federal-level immunity for doing so.
• Non-U.S. Citizens: Individuals in criminal custody may experience longer detention periods (up to 48 hours beyond a court order) to facilitate DHS coordination.
• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Gains expanded access to local data and guaranteed notification of prisoner releases.

Procedural Status

• Introduced: February 9, 2026
• Current Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.