The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released a staff memorandum on Mar. 26 that examines the effects of sanctuary policies shielding criminal illegal aliens from federal immigration enforcement. The memorandum claims these policies threaten public safety, place financial strain on taxpayers, and encourage illegal immigration.
The issue is significant because it involves both national security concerns and the use of taxpayer funds. The committee's findings are based on a year-long investigation into what it describes as open-border policies under the Biden-Harris Administration, as well as actions by certain sanctuary jurisdictions that do not allow local law enforcement to cooperate with federal officials enforcing immigration laws.
"Sanctuary policies only provide sanctuaries for criminal illegal aliens. These reckless policies are a clear and present danger to Americans across the country and turn every state into a border state," said Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.). "Democrat leaders in sanctuary jurisdictions have made it clear that they have no intention of cooperating with federal immigration authorities and will protect criminal illegal aliens over the American people. These policies also allow illegal aliens to drain taxpayer-funded resources and encourage more illegal immigration. Congress must work alongside President Trump to protect the public from further abuses by lawless sanctuary cities and states. The House Oversight Committee will continue to expose waste, fraud, and abuse in sanctuary jurisdictions," Comer said.
According to the committee’s interim memorandum, as of July 21, 2024, there were over 662,000 illegal aliens with criminal histories free in the United States known to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It also states that under current administration policy, more than $1.45 billion has been spent reimbursing local jurisdictions for services provided to released illegal aliens. Estimates put the net annual cost of illegal immigration at over $150 billion after accounting for taxes paid by immigrants.
The report highlights humanitarian concerns stemming from these policies: Over 233,000 unaccompanied alien children reportedly lacked proper legal oversight in March 2025; more than 31,000 were released to addresses deemed blank or undeliverable; over 43,000 failed to appear for court hearings.
The committee argues that some mayors and governors deny their status as sanctuary jurisdictions but refuse ICE requests unless presented with judicial warrants—something not required under current law according to longstanding statutory language and case law cited in the report.
To address these issues, recommendations include imposing criminal sanctions against officials who obstruct justice or harbor undocumented immigrants within sanctuary cities or states; reforming procedures related to unaccompanied children; reviewing funding priorities; enhancing information sharing among agencies; and continuing congressional oversight.
