House Committee Approves Bill to End DC's Sanctuary City Status

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has approved H.R. 2056, a bill introduced by Rep. Clay Higgins, aimed at nullifying Washington D.C.'s sanctuary city status and enforcing compliance with federal immigration laws. Higgins argues that D.C. has enacted policies that obstruct cooperation with federal immigration agencies like ICE, asserting that the capital should reflect strong adherence to federal law. Opponents, including D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, criticize the bill as undemocratic and an infringement on local autonomy, emphasizing that D.C.'s current policies are in line with federal law. The bill passed along party lines and is expected to face challenges in the Senate due to a narrower Republican majority. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has distanced the city from the sanctuary city label, indicating a shift in how the city communicates its immigration policies. If enacted, the bill would significantly alter how D.C. interacts with federal immigration enforcement.