Tiffany Amendment to Bar Sanctuary Cities from Receiving Federal Funds Passes U.S. House

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Congressman Tom Tiffany’s (WI-07) amendment to bar sanctuary cities from receiving federal funds was approved by the U.S. House and included in the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. Tiffany’s amendment would prevent state and local governments who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities from obtaining DHS funds.

This summer, it was reported that DHS dished out a total of $770 million to cities taking in illegal immigrants, including over $104 million to the sanctuary city of New York City.

Rep. Tiffany’s floor remarks on his amendment can be found here and below.

“These so-called sanctuary city policies are nothing new. They are also illegal. In fact, they have been illegal since Bill Clinton signed a law making them illegal in the 1990s. As we have seen in recent months, these misguided policies serve as a magnet for illegal aliens – overwhelming schools, hospitals, and other local services. 

“New York Mayor Eric Adams recently conceded that the tidal wave of illegal immigrants flooding into his sanctuary city will cost Big Apple residents a staggering $12 billion. He went on to say the influx will ‘destroy’ his city. 

“But there is more to this issue than just dollars and cents. 

“Because these policies prevent local law enforcement from reporting illegal aliens to ICE, police are often forced to release foreign criminals from custody – who of course go on to target new victims. That doesn’t just put sanctuary cities at risk – it puts every other neighboring community at risk too. 

“Madame Speaker, why are Americans being forced to finance the dangerous and illegal policies of sanctuary cities like New York and Chicago? Why are we being asked to pick up the tab for the problems these jurisdictions are bringing upon themselves? 

“It is time to stop rewarding bad behavior. 

“If you make an affirmative decision to violate federal law, then you should be prepared to forego federal funds.”

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