Summary of HR 2056: District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act of 2025

Overview

Bill Number: HR 2056

Title: District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act of 2025

Status: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Introduced: March 11, 2025

Classification: Bill

The District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act of 2025 aims to ensure that the District of Columbia (D.C.) complies with federal immigration laws by prohibiting the establishment of sanctuary policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of HR 2056 is to nullify any existing D.C. laws, ordinances, or policies that prevent local officials from sharing information about individuals' immigration status with federal authorities. This legislation seeks to enhance cooperation between D.C. and federal immigration agencies, particularly the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on Sanctuary Policies:

  • D.C. cannot enact or maintain any statute, ordinance, policy, or practice that restricts local officials from:
  • Sharing information regarding the citizenship or immigration status of individuals with federal, state, or local entities.
  • Complying with lawful detainer requests from DHS or ICE.

• Exception for Victims and Witnesses:

  • The bill includes a provision that protects individuals who come forward as victims or witnesses of crimes from having their immigration status reported. This aims to encourage cooperation with law enforcement without fear of deportation.

Impact

• Affected Entities:

  • The legislation directly impacts the D.C. government, local law enforcement agencies, and individuals residing in D.C., particularly those with uncertain immigration status.

• Reversal of Sanctuary Status:

  • HR 2056 effectively overturns D.C.'s current sanctuary city status, which has been characterized by laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. This change is expected to facilitate the transfer of individuals in custody to federal authorities when requested.

Legislative History and Timeline

• March 11, 2025: Introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
• March 25, 2025: The bill was reported (amended) by the committee.
• June 3, 2025: The bill was placed on the Union Calendar and passed in the House by a vote of 224-194.
• June 12, 2025: The bill was received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Conclusion

HR 2056 represents a significant shift in D.C.'s approach to immigration enforcement, aligning local policies with federal immigration laws. By nullifying sanctuary policies and mandating cooperation with federal authorities, the bill aims to enhance public safety and ensure compliance with national immigration standards.