Legislation proposed by a Utah lawmaker would cut funding to sanctuary cities that attempt to transport illegal immigrants to non-sanctuary municipalities.
Republican Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah introduced the Sanctuary Cities Law Enforcement Oversight and Accountability (SCORE) Act to the public on Friday, promising that the bill would hold sanctuary cities accountable for their own immigrants if passed.
“If this administration won’t fight for safety and the rule of law in America, our Republican majority will,” Owens said. “I’ve introduced a bill to eliminate taxpayer funding that supports immigrants coming into our communities.”
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Immigrants wait to be transported and processed by U.S. Border Patrol officers at the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas. (John Moore/Getty Images)
Owens posted a video on social media platform X explaining the proposed legislation.
“My message to these sanctuary cities is simple: You applauded open borders and welcomed these migrants with open arms,” ​​Owens said in the video. “Now that your resources and services are overwhelmed, you will not be allowed to send these desperate people into our communities.”
The SCORE Act would restrict the use of FEMA Shelter and Services Program funds to purchase transportation from other municipalities without the permission of local authorities.
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Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, attends a 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 funding is a federal initiative intended to help grantees financially support migrants awaiting court appearances.
Migrants being transported elsewhere will also need a documented sponsor at their destination to ensure they will not require government shelter.
The SCORE Act would also require the Government Accountability Office to produce a quarterly report on FEMA grant recipients to ensure compliance.
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Migrants walk along the highway through Suchiate, Chiapas state, in southern Mexico, during their journey north towards the border with the United States. (AP Photo/Edgar H. Clemente)
Owens was motivated to push for the legislation after Denver authorities issued more than 1,500 tickets to illegal immigrants for traveling to Salt Lake City, Utah, without notifying local officials.
“Sanctuary cities like Denver have been quietly sending migrants to non-sanctuary cities like Salt Lake City while the Biden-Harris open border agenda outstrips resources,” Owens said in his announcement video. “My new bill cuts off this funding and closes the loophole that is fueling this crisis in Utah.”
