The Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2024 allows individuals harmed by crimes committed by immigrants to sue states and local jurisdictions that have sanctuary policies restricting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Specifically, victims of murder, rape, or felonies committed by immigrants can bring civil lawsuits for compensatory damages against sanctuary jurisdictions that failed to comply with federal detainer requests or notify immigration authorities about an immigrant's release, with a ten-year statute of limitations. The bill also protects state and local officials from liability when they comply with federal immigration detainers by treating them as federal agents and providing them immunity from lawsuits. States and local governments that accept certain federal grants for public works, economic development, and community development must waive their legal immunity to these civil actions as a condition of receiving funding. The legislation was referred to three House committees in March 2024 and defines sanctuary jurisdictions as those with policies prohibiting or restricting immigration status information sharing, with an exception for victims and witnesses to crimes.
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