Representative Mike Garcia (R-CA) co-sponsored the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act. The bill would hold sanctuary cities, such as Los Angeles, accountable by allowing for victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities to sue the sanctuary city if the city failed to honor a lawful immigration detainer request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

“We must uphold law and order in our cities and communities,” said Garcia. “Cities that refuse to uphold the law should be held accountable for their inactions. Refusing to honor DHS’s detainer requests has dire consequences. We need to make public safety a priority and releasing dangerous criminals back into our communities does the opposite. Not only does it make our nation less safe, but it leaves no room for the victims of these offenders to obtain justice. The Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act will improve public safety and hold sanctuary cities accountable for the danger they impose on our communities.”

The Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act is in response to the increasing number of sanctuary cities and jurisdictions nationwide, including the city of Los Angeles. These sanctuary cities and jurisdictions either have an official sanctuary policy or refuse to comply with DHS’s detainer requests and release notifications.