Gooden Introduces Bill to Eradicate Sanctuary Cities

This press release from Representative Lance Gooden (R-TX) was published on 2026-04-29 and titled "Gooden Introduces Bill to Eradicate Sanctuary Cities". It focuses on immigration and touches on foreign policy, crime and justice.

Gooden Introduces Bill to Eradicate Sanctuary Cities

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) introduced the End Sanctuary Cities Act to permanently end sanctuary jurisdictions by penalizing state and local officials who willfully interfere with the enforcement of federal immigration laws. The bill addresses sanctuary policies in more than a dozen states that have created safe havens for illegal immigrants by blocking cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies. These policies undermine federal law, weaken public safety, and obstruct law enforcement operations to remove dangerous criminals from American communities. "Sanctuary cities are nothing more than government-sanctioned obstruction of federal law. If local officials choose to shield criminal illegal aliens instead of protecting Americans, they should be held personally accountable," said Rep. Gooden. The End Sanctuary Cities Act: Makes it illegal for state and local officials to impede or obstruct federal immigration enforcement. Prohibits officials from harboring illegal immigrants, shielding them from apprehension, or withholding immigration records from federal authorities. Prevents state and local officials from banning cooperation between local agencies and federal immigration officials. Requires state and local officials to notify federal authorities before releasing illegal immigrants from custody. Imposes criminal penalties on officials who knowingly release illegal immigrants who later kill or seriously injure another person. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the Senate companion of the End Sanctuary Cities Act. Read the bill text here .