House Lawmaker Targets Sanctuary City Mayors Over Crimes by Illegal Immigrants
A heated debate is heating up in Congress as a House lawmaker takes aim at sanctuary city mayors, pushing to hold them criminally accountable when illegal immigrants living under their watch commit murder. The proposal, introduced by Rep. Buddy Carter, a Republican from Georgia, marks a bold attempt to link sanctuary policies directly with legal consequences for city leaders.
The ERIC ADAMS Act: What’s It All About?
Dubbed the Establishing Responsibility for Illegals’ Crimes and Adding Deterrence and Accountability for Mayors’ Sanctuary Cities Act — or simply the ERIC ADAMS Act — the bill is set to be introduced on Friday. Named after New York City’s current mayor, Eric Adams, who’s campaigning for re-election this November, the legislation would hold sanctuary city mayors personally liable if an illegal immigrant residing in their city commits murder.
The proposal is a clear message from Carter, who himself is gearing up for a tough Senate race in 2026, aiming to unseat Democrat Jon Ossoff in Georgia. It also fits within a broader national political chess game, with sanctuary cities often at the center of immigration policy disputes.
Criminal Liability for Sanctuary City Mayors?
If the bill passes, sanctuary city mayors could face serious criminal charges — specifically, criminal negligence resulting in manslaughter — if it’s proven that an undocumented immigrant committed murder within their jurisdiction. The bill text obtained by Fox News Digital lays out the conditions for this liability:
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The mayor knowingly adopted or maintained sanctuary policies.
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These policies materially restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
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This lack of cooperation directly and foreseeably led to the failure to detain or remove the immigrant before the crime was committed.
In plain terms, if a mayor’s sanctuary stance helps an illegal immigrant evade federal immigration authorities and that person goes on to commit murder, the mayor could be held accountable — facing up to seven years in prison and fines.
Enforcement and Political Backdrop
The bill assigns enforcement responsibility to the Attorney General, giving the Justice Department the power to prosecute mayors under these new rules. The timing of this proposal comes amid a series of aggressive legal moves from the Trump administration targeting Democrat-led cities and states with sanctuary policies.
Just days before Carter’s announcement, Trump officials filed a lawsuit against New York City over its sanctuary policies — signaling a renewed federal push against what they describe as “lawless” cities that prioritize local over federal immigration enforcement.
A Personal Angle: Tragic Loss Spurs the Legislation
Carter’s push is fueled by more than politics — he points to real-life tragedies that highlight the stakes. Referencing the killing of nursing student Laken Riley in Georgia earlier this year by an illegal immigrant, Carter told Fox News Digital, “Laken Riley and countless other loved ones could still be alive today if our immigration laws were respected by mayors of sanctuary cities.”
He didn’t mince words: “As far as I’m concerned, they have blood on their hands and should be held personally accountable for creating a lawless environment that allows criminal illegal aliens to commit murder.”
This statement underscores the emotional and human side behind the legislative effort, tapping into a larger conversation about public safety, immigration enforcement, and local government responsibility.
Sanctuary Cities: A Flashpoint in Immigration Debate
Sanctuary cities are jurisdictions that limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. These policies are often supported as humane approaches to immigration enforcement, aiming to build trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement.
However, critics argue sanctuary policies can create loopholes allowing dangerous criminals to avoid deportation, putting public safety at risk. The ERIC ADAMS Act represents one of the most aggressive attempts to legally bind city leaders to the consequences of these policies.
What About Mayor Eric Adams?
Despite the bill bearing his name, Mayor Adams and his campaign have yet to respond publicly to the proposal. Fox News Digital reached out to both the New York City Mayor’s Office and Adams’ campaign team for comment but had not received a reply at the time of reporting.
Adams, a Democrat, has been a vocal proponent of sanctuary policies during his tenure, framing them as essential for protecting immigrant communities in America’s largest city.
What’s Next?
As the bill heads to Congress, it will face tough scrutiny and debate. Supporters argue it’s a necessary step to hold local leaders accountable and ensure public safety isn’t sacrificed in the name of sanctuary policies.
Opponents, on the other hand, may view it as a political weapon aimed at intimidating sanctuary cities and curbing local autonomy in immigration enforcement. They may also raise concerns about the bill’s legal and constitutional implications.
Key Points to Keep in Mind:
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The ERIC ADAMS Act aims to criminally charge sanctuary city mayors for murders committed by illegal immigrants.
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It carries up to seven years in prison and fines for those found guilty.
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The bill ties sanctuary policies to criminal negligence if they directly lead to failure in detaining dangerous individuals.
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Rep. Buddy Carter introduced the bill, also running for Senate in 2026.
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The legislation reflects growing tensions between federal and local governments over immigration enforcement.
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Trump administration lawsuits against sanctuary cities add context to this move.
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The bill is named after NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who supports sanctuary policies and is up for re-election.
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Emotional cases, like the murder of Laken Riley, fuel the push for accountability.
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