BLOC Act Threatens Infrastructure Funds for Cities That Don't Adopt DHS Notification Rules Within One Year

The Blocking Lawless Open Border Cities and States Act of 2025, or the BLOC Act, is straightforward: It uses federal infrastructure money as leverage to force local governments to change their policies on immigration enforcement cooperation.

The Federal Funding Hammer

Section 2 of the BLOC Act targets what it calls "sanctuary jurisdictions"—local governments that currently limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. If these local governments fail to adopt a specific policy within one year of the Act becoming law, they lose their direct federal funding for infrastructure projects administered by the Secretary of Transportation. This isn't just about big cities; it applies to any political subdivision of a state. If a state receives federal infrastructure funds, those funds cannot flow down to any non-compliant local government within that state. Think of it as a financial chokehold on road repair, bridge maintenance, and other critical public works.

The New Rule for Local Jails

To keep the money flowing, local police and sheriffs’ departments must adopt a policy requiring them to notify the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 48 hours before releasing someone from custody. This isn't a blanket rule, though. The notification requirement only kicks in if three specific conditions are met: 1) DHS has already informed the local government that the person is not legally in the U.S.; 2) DHS has notified the detaining entity about the person’s status at least 48 hours before the planned release; and 3) the person has been held for at least 48 hours minimum. Essentially, local officials become required to give DHS a two-day heads-up to potentially take custody of the individual, provided DHS has already done its paperwork.

What This Means for Your Commute and Taxes

For regular people, this bill translates into a tough choice for local leaders. If your county or city currently has a policy limiting cooperation with DHS—often called a 'sanctuary' policy—they have a year to change it or risk losing federal dollars for basic infrastructure. If they refuse to comply, that road project that was supposed to fix the potholes on your morning commute might get shelved indefinitely, or your local taxes might have to cover the full cost instead of the federal government pitching in. This provision effectively forces local law enforcement to align their custody release procedures with federal immigration goals, which could be a major shift in how some communities operate.

The Real-World Friction

This bill creates immediate friction points. Local governments that value their current policies—often arguing they improve community trust in police—will face a massive financial incentive to abandon them. If they don't, infrastructure projects could stall, directly impacting local jobs and public safety. For example, a county relying on federal funds to replace an aging bridge might have to choose between keeping its local policing policy intact and getting the money needed to ensure the bridge doesn't become a safety hazard. Furthermore, the provision introduces complexity for local jail staff, who must now meticulously track the three separate notification conditions before releasing certain individuals, potentially increasing administrative burdens and legal risk.