By Hank Russell
After a blockade from the Democrat-controlled Senate last fall, U.S. Representative Nick LaLota (R-Rocky Point) reintroduced a bill that he says would deny municipalities federal funding if they defy U.S. immigration law.
The No Bailouts for Sanctuary Cities Act would withhold federal monies to local governments that willfully refuse to disclose migrants’ citizenship or immigration status or work with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or immigration officials such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Further, LaLota’s legislation would punish jurisdictions that would spend their own money on migrants to pay for their food, lodging, healthcare and legal services and transportation costs.
LaLota introduced the legislation on September 26, 2023. Among its co-sponsors were Andrew Garbarino (R-Patchogue) and Anthony D’Esposito (R-Garden City). On September 20, 2024 — nearly a year later — the Act passed the House by a 219-186 vote. Twelve Democrats voted for the bill, but Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) did not. But the Senate — which was controlled by the Democrats last year — held it up and refused to bring it to a vote.
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to Suozzi’s office, and is waiting to hear back.
LaLota introduced the Rules package, which included language to bring top priority bills to the floor, including this legislation.
“Sanctuary cities have chosen to defy federal immigration law, creating their own crisis,” said LaLota, a former member of the Homeland Security Committee. “It’s unacceptable for federal taxpayers to bail them out for these reckless and misguided policies. My No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act ensures that federal dollars won’t subsidize the costs of prioritizing illegal immigration over the safety and well-being of law-abiding, tax-paying citizens. This bill, which earned bipartisan support from every House Republican and 12 House Democrats last Congress, sends a clear message: there are consequences for defying the rule of law.”