The House of Representatives has delivered a significant blow to Washington, D.C.'s sanctuary city policies. In a move that showcases growing bipartisan concern over immigration enforcement, lawmakers passed legislation requiring the nation's capital to comply with federal immigration laws.
According to the Washington Examiner, the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act of 2025 cleared the House on Thursday with a vote of 234-194, with support crossing party lines. Eleven Democrats joined Republicans in backing the measure that would force D.C. to cooperate with the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The legislation represents the first concrete step toward fulfilling President Donald Trump's broader vision to make Washington, D.C., "safe and beautiful" again. Its passage highlights the growing momentum behind the administration's immigration enforcement priorities.
Sanctuary status targeted
Rules Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx expressed frustration with D.C.'s current approach to federal immigration enforcement during Monday's hearing on the bill. She pointed to what she characterized as a pattern of obstruction by local officials.
"The D.C. City Council has a history of thumbing its nose at federal agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, that are responsible for protecting national security and the safety and wellbeing of the American people," Foxx stated during the hearing.
The North Carolina Republican emphasized her belief that the nation's capital should set an example for the rest of the country. "As the nation's capital, the District of Columbia should set a serious example that harboring illegal aliens and obstructing the work of federal law enforcement is not an option," she added.
Part of broader agenda
The vote on D.C.'s sanctuary status comes amid a flurry of legislative activity focused on Washington's governance. This bill represents just one part of a three-pronged approach by House Republicans to address various aspects of D.C. policy.
Two additional D.C.-focused bills already passed earlier in the week, both with notable Democratic support. The Protecting Our Nation's Capital Emergency Act garnered 30 Democratic votes, while legislation barring noncitizens from voting in D.C. elections secured support from 56 Democrats.
All three measures align with executive orders issued by President Trump targeting the District of Columbia. The president previously established the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, which was tasked with monitoring the district's sanctuary status and compliance with federal immigration laws.
Senate hurdles remain
Despite clearing the House with bipartisan support, the bill's future remains uncertain as it heads to the Senate. The legislation must navigate the upper chamber's 60-vote filibuster threshold before it can reach President Trump's desk for signature.
Republican strategists believe some Democratic senators representing swing states might cross party lines to support the measure. The political calculus for these lawmakers will likely involve weighing constituent concerns about immigration enforcement against loyalty to party positions on sanctuary policies.
If passed by the Senate and signed by President Trump, the act would effectively overturn D.C.'s existing sanctuary jurisdiction laws. This would mark a significant change in how the district handles immigration enforcement and its relationship with federal authorities.
Capital funding questions linger
While House lawmakers have moved decisively on immigration compliance, they've notably left unaddressed a critical funding issue for the District of Columbia. A significant budget shortfall remains unresolved despite promises of swift action.
A stopgap spending bill passed earlier this year to avoid a government shutdown reverted D.C. to its 2024 budget until Congress completes its next appropriations process. This created nearly a billion dollars in cuts to the district's operating funds, placing strain on local services.
The Senate unanimously passed legislation to fix this funding gap shortly after the continuing resolution was approved. House Speaker Mike Johnson promised his chamber would move "as quickly as possible" on passage, but leadership has yet to schedule a vote on the measure.
