End Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026

The End Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026 would amend federal law to prohibit state and local officials from obstructing immigration enforcement. The bill would impose criminal penalties on officials who knowingly interfere with immigration laws and would require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities by sharing information about detainees. The legislation would also protect jurisdictions that comply with federal immigration detainer requests from legal liability and establish consequences for officials who release individuals who later commit serious crimes.

The bill targets so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, which are areas that have adopted policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Supporters argue the legislation is necessary to ensure federal immigration laws are enforced uniformly across the country. Critics contend the bill raises constitutional concerns about federalism and the authority of states to set their own law enforcement policies. The bill was introduced in February 2026 and currently has not advanced beyond the initial Senate calendar placement stage.