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The House on Thursday approved legislation mandating the District of Columbia’s full compliance with federal immigration laws, marking the latest step in a broader Republican effort to reshape local governance in the nation’s capital and end its sanctuary city status.
The District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act of 2025 passed in a 234-194 vote, with 11 Democrats joining Republicans in support. The bill would require D.C. officials to cooperate with enforcement requests from the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, effectively overturning the district’s sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
“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,” said House Rules Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C.
“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.
House Speaker Mike Johnson also released a statement after the House passed H.R. 2056, legislation requiring the District of Columbia to comply with federal immigration laws and end its status as a sanctuary city.
“The inexcusable violence in Los Angeles is the latest example of what happens when cities put left-wing political agendas ahead of public safety. For years, D.C. leaders have followed the lead of sanctuary states like California and New York, choosing to shield illegal aliens from federal law instead of protecting American citizens,” he wrote.
“Today, House Republicans voted to end D.C.’s sanctuary status and restore the rule of law in our nation’s capital. While Democrats continue to make clear they are the party that supports violent illegal aliens, MS-13 gang members, and property-destroying protests, Republicans are proud to stand with the overwhelming majority of Americans who support safe communities,” Johnson continued.
The bill follows two other GOP-backed measures passed earlier in the week: one barring noncitizens from voting in D.C. elections, which drew support from 56 Democrats, and another restoring collective bargaining rights and a statute of limitations for law enforcement officers, which passed with 30 Democratic votes.
All three bills align with executive orders issued by President Donald Trump and are linked to his D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, which was established to monitor immigration enforcement and other local matters in the capital.
