Rep. Andy Biggs Accuses Sanctuary City Mayors of Criminal Culpability for Violating Federal Law

Allegations Against Sanctuary City Policies

• 🎯 Congressman Andy Biggs asserts that mayors of "sanctuary cities" are violating federal law by limiting cooperation with federal agencies, specifically regarding the removal of undocumented immigrants.
• 💡 He highlights that policies in cities like New York, Chicago, and Boston restrict cooperation with ICE, particularly concerning civil warrants and removal orders.

Interpretation of Federal Law

• ⚖️ Biggs cites Title 8 of the US Code, stating that government entities cannot prohibit or restrict communication with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) regarding an individual's immigration status.
• ⚠️ He argues that a removal order is a civil order, and by not cooperating with these civil orders, cities are allowing individuals to remain in the country unlawfully, thus violating federal law.

Criminal Culpability and Statutory Violations

• 🚨 The Congressman contends that mayors and their agencies face criminal culpability for these violations.
• 🔍 He references additional federal statutes that prohibit hindering immigration officers' access to individuals or evidence during investigations.
• 📜 Biggs concludes that policies restricting cooperation on both criminal and civil warrants, especially civil removal orders, place these officials in violation of multiple statutes, including those related to harboring or shielding individuals in the U.S. unlawfully.