# 119-hr-611: Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025

119-hr-611, Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11] (R-NC); status in_committee (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-611
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-611
- Congress: 119
- Title: Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-01-22
- Sponsor: Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11] (R-NC)
- Cosponsors: 3
- Policy area: Immigration
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**The bill creates a private right of action against sanctuary jurisdictions** and ties some federal grants to waiving immunity. It also treats local compliance with Department of Homeland Security detainers as federal cooperation, shifting certain legal responsibilities. - Victims and families: People harmed by murder, rape, or any state-defined felony involving an alien who benefited from a sanctuary policy can sue the State or political subdivision for compensatory damages. Plaintiffs have 10 years from the crime or death to file and can recover reasonable attorney and expert fees. - State and local governments: Jurisdictions that accept specified federal grants such as Public Works and Economic Development Act grants and Community Development Block Grants must waive immunity for sanctuary-related civil suits. Disaster relief grants are excluded from that waiver. - Law enforcement and federal coordination: An entity that complies with a DHS detainer is treated as acting for DHS and must follow federal detainer rules. If actions were consistent with a detainer, liability can shift to the United States under the federal claims framework, but the bill does not protect officials who knowingly violate civil or constitutional rights.

## Cosponsors (3)

- Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5] (R-VA), 2025-02-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14] (R-NC), 2025-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Taylor, David J. [R-OH-2] (R-OH), 2025-12-23T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- New lawsuits for victims of sanctuary policies: benefit, high. This bill would let certain crime victims, or the victim’s estate or close family, sue a State or city for money. It would cover murder, rape, or any felony (as defined by the State) when an alien was arrested, convicted, or sentenced to at least 1 year for that crime. The suit would apply only if…
- Detainer arrests shift lawsuits to federal government: mixed, medium. If enacted, local officers who follow a DHS detainer would be treated as acting for DHS and must follow federal rules. In lawsuits over a detainer-based arrest or hold, the State or city would not be liable for actions taken in line with the detainer. The officer would be treated as a federal emplo…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-9237: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
- 119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-hr-4669: FEMA Act of 2025
- 119-hr-9298: Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act
- 119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act
- 119-hr-740: Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-hr-611 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/611)

## Related
- [119-hr-9237: Take Care of America’s Veterans Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9237)
- [119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3151)
- [119-hr-4669: FEMA Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4669)
- [119-hr-9298: Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9298)
- [119-hr-1262: Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1262)
- [119-hr-740: Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-740)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-611 (as of 2026-04-21).