H.R. 7640 · Where this bill is now
Waiting for a House vote
Approved by committee Mar 12, 2026; no House vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires state and local cooperation on immigration enforcement
This bill would require state and local governments and their employees to work with federal immigration authorities and allow them to enforce immigration laws. It directs the Department of Homeland Security to issue detainers—essentially holds—for people arrested for criminal or vehicle offenses if there's probable cause they shouldn't be in the country. Jurisdictions that don't comply could lose certain federal law enforcement and immigration funding, which would be redirected to compliant jurisdictions.
How it affects you
This directly affects police and local government officials in cities and states that currently have policies limiting immigration enforcement cooperation—they would have to change those policies. Crime victims could potentially sue local governments if they believe a person released despite a federal detainer committed a crime against them. For most people in compliant jurisdictions, there's no direct change to daily life, but federal law enforcement officials would gain additional authority in how they coordinate with local police.
Read the official summary (Reported to House, Mar 12, 2026)
Shut Down Sanctuary Policies Act of 2026
This bill addresses issues related to state and local government cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts, including by prohibiting limitations on cooperation, revising detainer authority, and restricting funding for certain jurisdictions.
Federal, state, and local government entities, including personnel, must be allowed to (1) comply with or enforce immigration laws or cooperate with immigration enforcement efforts, or (2) inquire about an individual's immigration status. Currently, such government entities must be allowed to share immigration-related information with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
DHS must issue a detainer for individuals arrested for any criminal or motor vehicle offense if DHS has probable cause that they are inadmissible or deportable.
Jurisdictions not in compliance with this bill, as determined by DHS, are ineligible for certain funding for law enforcement or immigration. This funding must be reallocated to jurisdictions that are in compliance.
The bill also creates a private right of action for victims of certain crimes to bring against a state or local government that, for example, released the individual who was convicted of the crime despite a detainer.
The bill provides federal immunity for officials and entities in compliance with the bill and removal to federal court for related prosecutions.
DHS may decline transfer of an individual in its custody if the requesting jurisdiction is not in compliance with this bill. DHS is prohibited from transferring an individual with a final order of removal.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionH. R. 7640
A BILL
Shut Down Sanctuary Policies Act of 2026
Sponsor: Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA-5) · Introduced Feb 23, 2026 · Immigration · 2 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 12, 2026: “Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 465.”