No DOT Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act

No DOT Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act would bar the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from providing any grant, award, or federal funds to any jurisdiction that is considered a “sanctuary city.” A sanctuary city is defined by the bill as a state or political subdivision that has policies prohibiting or restricting government entities or officials from sharing information about individuals’ citizenship or immigration status with federal, state, or local authorities, or from complying with certain federal immigration detainer requests under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The Secretary of Transportation could grant a narrowly defined waiver on a case-by-case basis if a written certification shows the activity is in the national interest, and only if filed at least 15 days before the activity occurs. The bill is titled the No DOT Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act, introduced in the 119th Congress and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In practical terms, the measure could withhold federal transportation funding (including grants and other federal assistance) from cities or states that prohibit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement or refuse detainer requests, potentially delaying or constraining transportation projects and programs in those jurisdictions unless a waiver is granted.