A bill proposed by a Utah lawmaker would cut funding to sanctuary cities that try to transfer illegal immigrants to non-sanctuary municipalities.
Republican Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah introduced the Sanctuary Cities Oversight and Enforcement Accountability (SCORE) Act to the public on Friday, promising that if passed, sanctuary cities will be held accountable for their own migrants.
“If this administration won’t fight for America’s safety, security and the rule of law, the Republican majority will,” Owens said. “I have introduced legislation to cut taxpayer dollars that fund the migrants who pour into our communities.”
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Migrants wait to be removed and processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents at the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas. (John Moore/Getty Images)
Owens released a video on social media platform X explaining the bill.
“My message to these sanctuary cities is simple: You welcomed open borders and welcomed immigrants with open arms,” Owens said in the video. “Now your resources and services are overwhelmed, and you will not be allowed to allow these desperate people into our communities.”
The SCORE bill would restrict the use of FEMA Shelter and Services Program funds to purchase transportation for other municipalities without the permission of the local government.
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Republican Congressman Burgess Owens of Utah attends the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee organizational meeting and hearing at the Rayburn Building in Washington, DC (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
FEMA SSP funds are a federal effort to help recipients financially support immigrants awaiting court appearances.
Migrants being transferred elsewhere would also need to have a documented sponsor in the destination country to ensure they no longer need government protection.
The SCORE Act also requires the Government Accountability Office to prepare quarterly reports on FEMA grant recipients to ensure compliance.
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Migrants walk along a highway through Suchiate, Chiapas, southern Mexico, on their way north to the US border. (AP Photo/Edgar H. Clemente)
Owens was motivated to push the bill after Denver officials issued more than 1,500 tickets for illegal immigrants to travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, without notifying local authorities.
“As the Biden-Harris open border policy strains resources, self-proclaimed sanctuary cities like Denver are secretly funneling migrants to non-sanctuary cities like Salt Lake City,” Owens said in the announcement video. “My new bill would cut off these funds and close the loopholes that are fueling Utah’s crisis.”
