UPLIFT Act
Sponsored By: Representative Evans (CO)
Introduced
Summary
This bill would strengthen federal enforcement leverage over sanctuary jurisdictions. It would require state and local officials to cooperate with the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, expand detainer authority with clear probable-cause rules and custody windows, and create new civil suits and immunity rules tied to detainer compliance.
Show full summary
- Local governments and sanctuary jurisdictions: Would ban any government or official from restricting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, let DHS name noncompliant States or local entities annually, and allow local entities to seek injunctions for harms including financial harms over $100.
- Law enforcement and detention providers: Would authorize detainers when specific probable-cause criteria are met and let federal agents take custody within 48 hours after release but no more than 96 hours. It would also allow governments to enter agreements with private immigration detention facilities and exchange payments.
- Crime victims and immigrants: Would grant states and contracted detention entities immunity for complying with detainers with a bad-faith exception. It would also allow victims of murder, rape, or certain felonies to sue if a deportable alien was released, set a 10-year statute of limitations, and require courts to award attorneys’ and expert fees to prevailing plaintiffs.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
More local help with immigration enforcement
This bill would bar governments from limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Local officials could ask about immigration or citizenship status, share information on people reasonably suspected of crimes, and respond to federal requests. It would also make clear that nothing here would require police to report or arrest crime victims or witnesses. These changes would take effect upon enactment.
Broader detainer power and legal shield
The bill would let Homeland Security issue detainers when it has probable cause a person is inadmissible or deportable. Probable cause could come from a fingerprint or database match, removal papers, a prior removal order, or reliable statements or evidence. If a detainer is honored, Homeland Security could take custody within 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, but no more than 96 hours after the person would otherwise be released. States, localities, and contracted detention providers that comply would generally be immune from money damages, with the United States as the proper defendant. Immunity would not apply in bad-faith mistreatment.
More contracts with private detention firms
The bill would prevent governments from banning contracts with private companies to run immigration detention facilities. States and localities could enter agreements, sell public property, pay costs to build or run facilities, and receive payments related to detention. These changes would apply upon enactment.
Victims could sue after ignored detainers
If enacted, victims of murder, rape, or other felonies could sue a state or locality that released an alien after declining a DHS detainer. The alien must later be convicted and sentenced to at least one year. Lawsuits would be allowed up to 10 years after the crime, or after the victim’s death from the crime. Courts would have to award reasonable attorneys’ fees, including expert fees, to a winning plaintiff.
Faster lawsuits and Homeland Security reports
Local governments could sue their state in federal court if the state restricts cooperation with immigration enforcement. Courts would have to move these cases quickly, and harm could include financial harm over $100. Homeland Security would have to decide each year which states or localities are not complying and report that to Congress by March 1. Upon request from the House or Senate Judiciary Committee, the agency would also issue compliance reports for specific jurisdictions.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Evans (CO)
CO • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5]
CO • R
Sponsored 2/27/2025
Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4]
CO • R
Sponsored 2/27/2025
Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]
CO • R
Sponsored 2/27/2025
Brecheen
OK • R
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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