ERIC ADAMS Act of 2025
This bill would create a new federal offense holding mayors of sanctuary cities criminally liable for manslaughter if, within their jurisdiction, an undocumented immigrant commits murder and the mayor knowingly maintained or failed to repeal a sanctuary policy that materially restricted cooperation with federal immigration authorities, and that policy directly and foreseeably contributed to the immigrant not being detained or removed before the murder. If convicted, a mayor could face up to seven years in prison, a fine, and mandatory removal or disqualification from public office. The act would vest enforcement in the Department of Justice, with federal courts having jurisdiction over prosecutions under the law. The bill defines sanctuary cities, undocumented immigrants, and mayors, and includes severability and a 90-day effective date after enactment. The proposed short title is the ERIC ADAMS Act of 2025.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a new offense: a mayor of a sanctuary city shall be guilty of criminal negligence resulting in manslaughter if a murder by an undocumented immigrant occurs in the city and the mayor knowingly adopted, maintained, or failed to repeal a sanctuary policy that materially restricted cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and that policy directly and foreseeably contributed to failure to detain or remove the immigrant prior to the murder.
- 2Penalties: conviction carries up to 7 years in prison, a fine, and mandatory removal or disqualification from public office.
- 3Causation standard: a sanctuary policy is deemed to have directly and foreseeably contributed if it created a substantial risk that the undocumented immigrant could avoid detention or removal.
- 4Enforcement and jurisdiction: the Attorney General has exclusive authority to investigate and prosecute offenses; U.S. district courts have original jurisdiction; federal courts hear cases brought under this act.
- 5Definitions and scope: defines sanctuary city (restricting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement or detainer/administrative warrants), undocumented immigrant, and mayor; includes severability and a 90-day effective date after enactment.