Sanctuary cities could be blocked from moving migrants without warning

A Republican Congressman wants to block federal funds from going to so-called sanctuary cities if they send migrants to other cities without notification. The legislation proposed by Congressman Burgess Owens is meant to prevent non-sanctuary cities from receiving immigrants they aren’t prepared to help without warning. 

Owens’ district spans central Utah, near Salt Lake City and Provo. 

He said in a statement, “Self-declared sanctuary cities like Denver are abusing loopholes in the law and using federal taxpayer dollars to transport illegal immigrants to non-sanctuary cities like Salt Lake City.” 

“Right now we have migrants showing up at our airports, bus stations, and city halls with no support, services, or sponsors after being dumped by so-called sanctuary cities.”

Owens bill: 

• Requires sanctuary cities to provide notice of imminent migrant arrivals to non-sanctuary jurisdictions
• Requires documentation to prove the newly arrived migrants will continue receiving support at their destination through a family, sponsor or other organization 
• Makes cities who send migrants without warning or proper documentation ineligible to receive FEMA Shelter Service Program funds

The FEMA SSP program provides financial support to non-federal entities that offer humanitarian assistance to migrants who have been released from DHS custody. 

In April, FEMA announced it would be providing $640 million in SSP funds to cities and organizations across the country.