Recouping Funds from Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025

The Recouping Funds from Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025 (H.R. 3827) would require any sanctuary jurisdiction to return federal funds that were received but not obligated during a period when that jurisdiction had a policy or practice described as a sanctuary policy. A sanctuary jurisdiction is defined as a state or its political subdivisions (e.g., cities/counties) that prohibit or restrict government entities from sharing citizenship or immigration-status information, or that do not comply with DHS detainer requests or notifications under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sections 236 or 287. The funds subject to recoupment would be federal funds received in the fiscal year that is the fifth full fiscal year prior to the act’s effective date. The act provides a grace period: if the jurisdiction notifies the Attorney General of a remedy within 15 days and cures the policy, the clawback can be suspended. The measure excludes certain funds from OC Crime Control and Safe Streets Act programs. Overall, the bill seeks to financially penalize jurisdictions with sanctuary policies by requiring repayment of specific federal funds, with a mechanism for provisional relief if policy changes are made quickly.