Improving Cooperation with States and Local Governments and Preventing the Catch and Release of Criminal Aliens Act of 2015

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 21, 2015

Improving Cooperation with States and Local Governments and Preventing the Catch and Release of Criminal Aliens Act of 2015

This bill prohibits a jurisdiction from receiving any of the funding specified in this Act if it does not cooperate with federal officials regarding criminal aliens or other aliens deemed to be a removal priority by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including by refusing to: (1) detain or transfer custody of such aliens pursuant to detainers placed upon them; or (2) notify a federal law enforcement agency, upon request, of their release.

Such funding consists of:

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incarceration reimbursement funds under the Immigration and Nationality Act,

grant funding under the Second Chance Act of 2007, and

any other law enforcement related grants or contracts awarded by DHS or the Department of Justice (DOJ).

A jurisdiction shall become eligible to receive such funds, grants, or contracts after DHS certifies that:

the jurisdiction no longer fails to cooperate with federal officials regarding detentions, transfers, and notifications; and

the statute, policy, or practice of that state or local government prohibiting law enforcement officers from assisting or cooperating with federal immigration law enforcement regarding criminal aliens has been repealed, rescinded, or terminated.

Withheld funds shall be reallocated equally among:

states and local governments which cooperate with federal officials regarding detentions, transfers, and notifications, and apply to the appropriate Department for such funds; and

any statutorily authorized federal grant program designed to protect victims of violence.

DHS and DOJ shall publish jointly on their websites: (1) a list of sanctuary jurisdictions, and (2) a list of jurisdictions that do not grant federal immigration law enforcement officers regular access to jails or detention facilities.

The Immigration and Nationality Act is amended to increase the penalty for reentry by a removed alien.

Nothing in this Act may be construed to: (1) require law enforcement officials of a state or a local government to report or arrest victims or witnesses of a criminal offense, or (2) limit the ability of state and local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration law enforcement with regard to aliens who are not criminal aliens.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] · R–IA

Committees

Judiciary Committee

6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Jul 21, 2015
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 21, 2015
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jul 21, 2015 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Analyze S.1812 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.1812, 114th Congress: Improving Cooperation with States and Local Governments and Preventing the Catch and Release of Criminal Aliens Act of 2015

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1812

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2015-07-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s1812/BILLS-114s1812is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:51:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.1812 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Examine S.1812 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.1812, 114th Congress: Improving Cooperation with States and Local Governments and Preventing the Catch and Release of Criminal Aliens Act of 2015

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1812

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2015-07-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s1812/BILLS-114s1812is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:51:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1812 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Examine S.1812 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.1812, 114th Congress: Improving Cooperation with States and Local Governments and Preventing the Catch and Release of Criminal Aliens Act of 2015

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1812

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2015-07-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s1812/BILLS-114s1812is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:51:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1812 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1812, 114th Congress: Improving Cooperation with States and Local Governments and Preventing the Catch and Release of Criminal Aliens Act of 2015

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1812

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2015-07-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s1812/BILLS-114s1812is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-08-10T11:51:27Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1812 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.