East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both Republicans from Idaho, have introduced the No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act. This proposed legislation aims to prevent federal funding from being allocated to sanctuary cities that benefit illegal immigrants.

The bill is consistent with President Trump's Executive Order "Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders," which prohibits federal agencies and programs from offering taxpayer-funded services to illegal immigrants.

"Not a single taxpayer dollar should be used to provide unwarranted hand-outs to non-citizen migrants or to cities giving them any unearned financial advantages," said Crapo. "Federal resources should be used to secure the borders, not invite and encourage illegal immigration."

Risch added, "Sanctuary cities abuse taxpayer dollars and fuel the illegal immigration crisis. My No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act stops these jurisdictions from using federal funding to directly give handouts to illegal immigrants."

Other senators supporting this legislation include Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy from Montana, Eric Schmitt from Missouri, Pete Ricketts from Nebraska, Mike Lee from Utah, Jim Banks from Indiana, and Cindy Hyde-Smith from Mississippi. Representative Nick LaLota of New York has introduced a similar bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The act defines a "sanctuary jurisdiction" as any local or state government entity that does not share information about an individual's citizenship status with federal, state, or other local authorities. It would also prevent these jurisdictions from receiving federal funds specifically intended for the benefit of illegal immigrants.